The Chilean Guava is an excellent edible substitute to the English box hedge, easily clipped to use as a low formal style hedge or grown in containers. The fragrant white-pink-tinged bell-shaped flowers make it a good plant to use on patios or near windows. Fruit ripens from late summer to early autumn. Small dark green leaves with tinged red new growth.

The fruit of the Chilean Guava has an intense aromatic flavour and aroma - we call them Sherbet bombs. Great grazing food for children. They can be added to other fruits in desserts, added to juices, or made into jams and jellies. Alternatively, they can be made into a sauce and added to yoghurt, ice cream, or to accompany meat dishes. Chilean Guava is high in fibre, Vitamin C and K.

Chilean Guava grows and fruits well in partial shade or full sun and is frost hardy. Tolerant of salty maritime air and grows better in sheltered sites. Prune after fruiting or more regularly for box hedge look-alike. It tends to become straggly if left unpruned. Grows well in fertile, well-drained, loamy soil but can grow in sandy and clay soils. Mulch in summer and make sure it has plenty of moisture.