As winter begins, it provides an opportunity to assess what is working in the garden and what isn't, including whether and how plants should be pruned, moved, or removed.  Now that many plants have lost their leaves or are dormant, it is easier to assess potential edits to the garden. Right now, I'm considering whether to move or remove two Ugni molinae, otherwise known as Chilean Guava or Strawberry Myrtle.

A few years ago, on impulse I purchased two Chilean Guava plants at a local nursery.  I was charmed by the description of a “highly ornamental” edible fruiting shrub with delicious red berries that could be made into jam.  Supposedly, it was Queen Victoria's favorite fruit! The plant is easily pruned and requires low water.  It seemed perfect for a specific location in my yard.  The nursery description said that the plant may not set fruit alone, so two plants should be planted together. I was a little less thrilled by having to find room for two plants, but I decided to give them a try.

The Chilean Guava is quite pretty and useful in the right location.  It has small dark green leaves on upright branches that serve as attractive filler for bouquets.  It produces tiny, beautiful, bell-shaped, pale pink to white flowers followed by small pink-red fruits. The flowers and berries are so small, however, that they are not very noticeable unless the plant is located where it can be observed from close proximity. The flowers are described as fragrant, but I haven't found the fragrance to be particularly noticeable. The Chilean Guava grows from 1-6' tall and 1-3' wide and can be pruned to any size in that range.  It would make a good informal hedge, although my plants tend to flop over once they reach about 4' tall.  It requires part shade to full sun and low water.

I don't know if it is my plants or Queen Victoria's tastebuds, but the berries have not lived up to their description.  My plants have not fruited very well, and when they do, it is challenging to catch the berries at peak ripeness because they are easily overlooked.  Perhaps I haven't picked them at exactly the right time, but the flavor is underwhelming.  I am rather wistful about the exotic jam I will not be making.

So now I have two plants that have benefits and drawbacks.  They have lovely foliage, are easy to prune, are pest-free, and are drought tolerant.  But they are not as upright as described, and I have to tie them up each summer so they don't flop over other plants.  The flowers and berries are not what I had expected.  Even though the plants receive the recommended amount of sun, I have wondered if they would do better in an even sunnier part of the garden.  But my garden is small,l and moving the plants would mean removing other plants. I also have subsequently learned that the plants are self-fertile and pollinated by bees, which means that I didn't have to purchase two of them.

I am not making a decision today, but this is the challenge of having a small garden.  Leave a plant that is adequate and has some benefits or make room for something potentially better?