GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
Over the last 20 years Eugenia ventenati has been the most popular hedging species planted in northern New Zealand. This Australian native has a compact upright growth habit that responds remarkably to trimming. Hedges several metres high and less than a metre wide can be achieved with regular pruning. New foliage is deep maroon red changing to dark glossy green as it ages. Can grow to 4x3m.
USES:
Eugenia is an excellent topiary subject, screen or hedge tree. Use Eugenia to create a formal walled garden or as a living fence, screen or shelter.
PLANT CARE:
Eugenia should be planted in full sun, in good fertile soil and kept well-watered over dry summer months. Shape or prune after each flush of new growth to maintain a dense sharp hedge. Eugenia are affected by psyllid insects causing blistering on the new leaves. Spray from early summer with a systemic insecticide in combination with a spraying oil to keep these psyllids, (a tiny scale like insect) at bay.