small plants

Feijoa sellowiana: the ornamental and fruit-bearing Brazilian feijoa for Mediterranean gardens

The Feijoa sellowiana, currently classified as Acca sellowiana, is an evergreen shrub or small tree native to southern Brazil, Uruguay and northern Argentina, which uniquely combines exceptional ornamental value with the production of exotic edible fruit. Known as ‘Brazilian guava’, ‘feijoa’ or ‘pineapple guava’, this species of the Myrtaceae family has taken Mediterranean gardens by storm thanks to its two-tone silver-green foliage, its spectacular fleshy flowers with white petals and red stamens, and its aromatic fruits with a tropical flavour. This triple functionality—ornamental, floral and fruit-bearing—makes it one of the most complete and versatile plants available for contemporary professional landscaping.

Botanical characteristics of Feijoa sellowiana

• Sheets: oval, leathery and evergreen, 3–7 cm long; greyish-green on the upper surface and silvery-downy on the underside, creating a luminous two-tone effect when the wind moves the branches
• Flowering: spectacular flowers, 3–4 cm in size, with fleshy petals that are white on the outside and reddish on the inside, topped by a tuft of prominent red stamens; edible, with a sweet taste; May–June
• Fruits: ovoid berries measuring 4–7 cm, greyish-green on the outside with aromatic, translucent white flesh; a unique flavour combining pineapple, guava and strawberry; they ripen in autumn and winter
• Size: A shrub or small tree, 2 to 4 metres tall; smooth, decorative grey bark; a rounded, dense crown that can be trained as a hedge, shrub or small tree
• Resistance: excellent tolerance to drought, coastal winds and severe frosts down to -10°C; one of the most cold-hardy subtropical fruit trees

Professional applications in landscaping and gardening

Feijoa sellowiana is an excellent resource for projects involving edible landscaping and designer productive gardens. Its ability to combine ornamental appeal with fruit production places it at the forefront of the productive gardening movement that is transforming contemporary landscaping. Landscape architects use it as a fruit hedge, as a striking specimen shrub, as a small ornamental tree in designer gardens, and in compositions with olive-trees y palms which create ornamental gardens of extraordinary beauty.

In the sector of gourmet dining, agritourism and hotels with vegetable gardens, the feijoa offers a unique sensory experience: guests can taste its flowers and fruit straight from the garden. Combined with other small-sized plants y ornamental citrus... enables the creation of culinary gardens that greatly enhance what the establishment has to offer.

For residential gardens and sustainable housing developments, this species offers privacy as a hedge, beauty as an ornamental plant and fruit as a fruit tree, all in a single plant. The Mediterranean specimens and the succulents complement the feijoa in functional garden designs that combine aesthetics and productivity.

Growing and caring for Feijoa sellowiana

Feijoa sellowiana thrives in full sun in well-drained soil, preferably slightly acidic to neutral. In Mediflora, such as wholesale nursery specialising in ElcheWe grow this South American species in various forms: as a natural shrub, trained on a trunk as a small tree, and pre-shaped for hedges. It requires regular watering during the fruiting season to produce good-sized fruit; outside this period, it tolerates drought without any problems.

For complete garden schemes, the feijoa pairs exceptionally well with handcrafted earthenware jars and aromatic plants. At Mediflora, we offer Feijoa sellowiana plants in various sizes for professionals seeking ornamental plants with the added benefit of fruit.