Campomanesia ‘Lemon Cherry’
Campomanesia ‘Lemon Cherry’
Campomanesia sp. ‘Lemon Cherry’ is a funky and awesome species that is closely related to guavas. The fruit is unlike anything you’ve seen but is similar to something you’ve tasted. The berry like fruits are sweet and lemony yet they lack the acidity. The fruits are a pleasure to eat popping hand fulls into your mouth. It’s definitely a good one and you’ll see me walking around my farm with Lemon Drop crumbs all over my face! Just kidding, kinda. But, its really a beautiful tree! The tree has a beautiful full shape, almost appearing as a large dainty shrub/tree thing. It loses its leaves in the late winter/early spring and flushes back hard with a soft green flush of new growth exploding out. The tree doesn’t cast a heavy shade and is great to have somewhere some screening is needed but not a lot of light blocked out. This is a funky and distinct species definitely useful in the growers garden or someone looking for a beautiful garden novelt.y
Family: Myrtaceae
Name: Campomanesia ‘Lemon Drop’
Common Name / Native Name: Lemon Drop Campomanesia
Range: Cerrados of Central Brazil
Sun: Full sun/part shade
Height: 15+ feet
Width: 10+ feet
Foliage: A deciduous species that sheds it’s leaves in late spring prior to a new flush. Oblong leaves that start bright green and turn a darker green with hints of purple in the colders months.
Flower: Small flowers covering the tree, mild scent
Fruit: Small yellow fruits
Soil Type/ pH: Tolerates higher pH soils
USDA Climate Zones: 9b+
Cold Hardiness: Seems to have little issues in moderate frost events in 9b, seems quite cold hardy and may work in zone 9a
Edibility: A pleasant and interesting Campomanesia that can be eaten whole. The fruits have a lemon citrusy flavor without the acidity. It’s very pleasant, just gotta watch out for the seeds as they have a bit of “spice”. Great eaten out of hand and may be good in processed applications.
Age to maturity: 4+ years
Sources: Wildlands Farm and Nursery