Chilean Guava (Villarica Strawberry)

This is a hardier and somewhat smaller-leaved form of the Chilean Guava that was recently introduced by Paul Barney from Pucon, Chile and which Far Reaches Botanical Conservancy brought into the US from the UK. It is a fruit-producing shrub native to the Andes of Southern Chile and Argentina. It usually grows no larger than 6 feet in height and width and responds very well to hedging. The blueberry-sized fruit is edible and delicious, with an intense strawberry-watermelon flavor. This guava is cold hardy to USDA zone 7b and above, or to 5 degrees Fahrenheit and prefers sun to partial sun.