Mulch of a mulchness
Mary Coppens and I were looking at her garden at dusk. There was a lovely scent in the air, which she attributed to a white to pale pink flowered plant that was given to her as a ‘‘New Zealand cranberry’’, but she was a bit dubious about that identification.
It was doing so well in her windy, sandy garden, she viewed it as bordering on a weed. I identified it as a Chilean guava and she gave me a cutting to take home.
One story has it that the Chilean guava (Ugni molinae, sometimes called Myrtus ugni Molina) was grown as a substitute for cranberries in countries where cranberries were considered unlikely to grow, hence the confusion.
The guava can be grown from seed that has been soaked for 24 hours before planting in warm seed-raising mix, or from heeled hardwood cuttings potted up in autumn.
The Chilean guava isn’t fussy about soil and will tolerate some shade, its small leaves and tight form making it a good hedge or topiary candidate. Its small, aromatic fruit were said to be a favourite of Queen Victoria.
Mary was a pensioner when I got to know her. You’d find her out in her little garden next to her modest ex-state house in her shorts. Her garden was interesting and brought pleasure, but wouldn’t win any prizes. She was generous with her experience and her plant material, while being comfortable enough with herself to ask advice of a young ’un. She was buried this week (1925-2014). She wasn’t rich and you’ve probably never heard of her, but her life had meaning.