Overview

Bring the taste of the tropics to your garden with this vibrant Barbados Cherry Tree live plant. Also known as Acerola Cherry, this remarkable fruit tree is celebrated for its prolific production of delicious, nutrient-rich cherries. This offering is for a living plant, ready to be established in your garden. Known for its quick growth and early fruiting, the Barbados Cherry Tree live plant is a fantastic addition for both seasoned gardeners and enthusiastic beginners looking to harvest their own sweet and tangy fruit. It’s a truly rewarding plant that combines ornamental beauty with practical yields, providing a continuous supply of fresh cherries.

The Barbados Cherry (Malpighia emarginata or Malpighia glabra) is a small to medium-sized shrub or tree native to the Caribbean, Central, and South America. It’s highly valued for its exceptionally high vitamin C content, often surpassing that of oranges. This specific high yielding cherry tree is selected for its robust growth and generous fruit production, making it a valuable asset to any home orchard or edible landscape. Its adaptability to various climates, particularly warmer regions, makes it a popular choice for gardeners seeking a reliable and productive fruit bearer.

Key Benefits

Adding a Barbados Cherry Tree live plant to your garden offers a multitude of advantages, from its delightful fruit to its ease of cultivation. This plant is a true gem for those seeking both beauty and bounty.

• Abundant Fruit Production: Enjoy a continuous harvest of sweet and tangy cherries. This high yielding cherry tree is renowned for its generous fruit set, providing plenty for fresh eating, juices, jams, and jellies throughout its fruiting season.

• Exceptional Nutritional Value: Barbados cherries are an outstanding source of Vitamin C, far exceeding many other common fruits. Incorporating these cherries into your diet can boost your immune system and overall well-being.

• Fast Growth and Early Fruiting: This is a fast growing fruit tree, meaning you won’t have to wait long to enjoy your first harvest. Many plants begin producing fruit within a relatively short period after planting, offering satisfaction sooner.

• Cold Hardy for Warmer Climates: While thriving in tropical and subtropical zones, this cold hardy cherry tree demonstrates resilience, making it suitable for outdoor planting in USDA Zones 9-11. It can tolerate cooler temperatures than many tropical fruit trees.

• Versatile Culinary Uses: The delicious fruit can be enjoyed fresh off the tree, or used in a variety of culinary creations. From refreshing drinks and smoothies to desserts and preserves, the possibilities are endless with your own supply of Barbados cherries.

• Attractive Garden Addition: Beyond its fruit, the Barbados Cherry Tree live plant boasts attractive foliage and delicate pink flowers, adding ornamental value to your landscape. It’s a beautiful plant that serves a dual purpose.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your Barbados Cherry Tree live plant is relatively straightforward, especially when provided with the right conditions. Understanding the needs of this fast growing fruit tree will ensure a healthy plant and abundant harvests. The Barbados cherry plant care routine primarily focuses on adequate sunlight, proper watering, and suitable soil conditions.

For optimal growth and fruit production, your Barbados Cherry Tree requires full sun exposure, meaning at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. In very hot climates, some afternoon shade can be beneficial to prevent leaf scorch. It thrives in well-draining soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0-7.0). Amend heavy clay soils with organic matter to improve drainage. While established plants are somewhat drought-tolerant, consistent moisture is crucial for fruit development. Water regularly, especially during dry periods and when the plant is fruiting, ensuring the soil remains evenly moist but not waterlogged. Reduce watering frequency in cooler months.

This cold hardy cherry tree is best suited for USDA Hardiness Zones 9-11 for outdoor planting. In colder regions, it can be grown in a container and brought indoors during winter or treated as an annual. Protect young plants from frost. Fertilize young trees every 2-3 months with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer. Once established and fruiting, fertilize 3-4 times a year, focusing on a fertilizer higher in phosphorus and potassium to encourage blooming and fruiting. Pruning can be done to maintain shape, size, and encourage air circulation, typically after the main fruiting season. Watch out for common pests like aphids or scale insects, and treat with organic insecticidal soap if necessary. Good air circulation and proper watering can help prevent fungal diseases.

Size & Details

This offering is for a Barbados Cherry Tree live plant, typically measuring around 12 inches in height at the time of shipment. It is shipped as a live plant, ready for immediate planting in your garden or a larger container. These plants are known for their vigorous growth habit and can quickly establish themselves, with many beginning to produce fruit within one to two years under ideal conditions. The growth rate of this fast growing fruit tree means you can anticipate enjoying fresh cherries relatively soon after planting.

The mature size of a Barbados Cherry Tree can vary depending on growing conditions and pruning, generally reaching 10-15 feet tall and wide if left unpruned. However, it can be easily maintained at a smaller, more manageable size through regular pruning, making it suitable for various garden spaces, including smaller yards or even large patio containers. This high yielding cherry tree is a long-lived perennial, providing many years of delicious fruit.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this Barbados Cherry Tree live plant get? A: If left unpruned, a mature Barbados Cherry Tree can reach heights of 10-15 feet. However, it responds well to pruning and can be maintained at a smaller size, making it versatile for different garden spaces.

• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: While it can be grown indoors in a bright, sunny location, the Barbados Cherry Tree live plant is primarily an outdoor plant, especially in USDA Zones 9-11 where it can thrive year-round.

• Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: For best fruit production, your Barbados Cherry Tree requires full sun, meaning at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. In very hot climates, some afternoon shade can be beneficial.

• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Yes, Barbados cherry plant care is generally considered easy to moderate. It’s a relatively low-maintenance fruit tree once established, making it suitable for gardeners of various experience levels.

• Q: What condition will it arrive in? A: The plant will arrive as a live, healthy specimen, typically around 12 inches tall, carefully packaged to ensure its safe journey to your home. It will be ready for planting upon arrival.

• Q: How long until it produces fruit? A: This is a fast growing fruit tree, and under good conditions, many plants can begin producing fruit within 1-2 years after planting, offering a relatively quick reward for your efforts.

• Q: Will it survive winter in my zone? A: This cold hardy cherry tree is suitable for outdoor planting in USDA Zones 9-11. If you are in a colder zone, it’s best to grow it in a container and bring it indoors during the winter months to protect it from frost.

• Q: What type of soil is best for a Barbados Cherry Tree? A: It prefers well-draining soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0-7.0). Amending heavy soils with organic matter will improve drainage and overall plant health.

• Q: Can the cherries be used for cooking or jams? A: Absolutely! The sweet and tangy cherries from this high yielding cherry tree are excellent for fresh eating, making juices, jams, jellies, and other culinary delights.

• Q: What makes this a high yielding cherry tree? A: This variety is specifically known for its genetic predisposition to produce a large quantity of fruit. With proper care, you can expect abundant harvests from your Barbados Cherry Tree live plant.