Garcinia livingstonei, Imbe, is one of the few Garcinias that I feel like I actually may have a shot at growing here in 9b Santa Cruz, California. They are such a unique and beautiful tree, very bizarre and architectural with branches jutting out at seemingly 90*, making for a somewhat sparse but very attractive smaller tree. I’ve had some trees for the past 5 years and they are going strong without a hint of damage from winter colds. Pretty cool to see! The fruit is on the smaller side of most Garcinias, although it’s very delicious! No hint of acidity, and a sweet pleasant flavor! There isn’t a ton of pulp, but its certainly a tree well worth growing.
These trees are well rooted and ready to get into a bigger pot! They are certainly worthy of a zone pushers garden and I highly recommend them!
Family: Clusiaceae
Name: Garcinia livingstonei
Common Name / Native Name: Imbe
Range: Tropical Africa all the way down through South Africa
Sun: Full Sun/Part Shade
Height: 20-60’
Width: 20+’
Foliage: Dense, small green leaves with very bright veination, new growth is beautiful pink/purple
Flower: A small nondescript flower common of the genus
Fruit: The fruit is about the size of a hog plum or a little smaller than a golf ball. Beautiful orange color
Soil Type/ pH: Prefers acidity and good drainage
USDA Climate Zones: Undetermined, potentially 9b+
Cold Hardiness: Unknown
Edibility: A very pleasant garcinia with sweet and complex notes! Highly reccomend
Garcinia livingstonei, Imbe, is one of the few Garcinias that I feel like I actually may have a shot at growing here in 9b Santa Cruz, California. They are such a unique and beautiful tree, very bizarre and architectural with branches jutting out at seemingly 90*, making for a somewhat sparse but very attractive smaller tree. I’ve had some trees for the past 5 years and they are going strong without a hint of damage from winter colds. Pretty cool to see! The fruit is on the smaller side of most Garcinias, although it’s very delicious! No hint of acidity, and a sweet pleasant flavor! There isn’t a ton of pulp, but its certainly a tree well worth growing.
These trees are well rooted and ready to get into a bigger pot! They are certainly worthy of a zone pushers garden and I highly recommend them!
Family: Clusiaceae
Name: Garcinia livingstonei
Common Name / Native Name: Imbe
Range: Tropical Africa all the way down through South Africa
Sun: Full Sun/Part Shade
Height: 20-60’
Width: 20+’
Foliage: Dense, small green leaves with very bright veination, new growth is beautiful pink/purple
Flower: A small nondescript flower common of the genus
Fruit: The fruit is about the size of a hog plum or a little smaller than a golf ball. Beautiful orange color
Soil Type/ pH: Prefers acidity and good drainage
USDA Climate Zones: Undetermined, potentially 9b+
Cold Hardiness: Unknown
Edibility: A very pleasant garcinia with sweet and complex notes! Highly reccomend