PlantFun
Plant Needs
Sunlight
Full sun to partial shade; highly tolerant of coastal salt spray and windy conditions
Watering
Water deeply when the top 5 cm of soil is dry; drought-tolerant once established in coastal soils
Temperature
Hardy to -20°C; withstands coastal summer heat and winter frost without significant damage
Characteristics
- Leaf: Oval to obovate, 2–5 cm long, serrated margins, gray-green pubescent underside
- Flower: White, 5-petaled, clustered in groups of 2–5 before leaf emergence
- Fruit: Round drupe, 1–2 cm diameter, purple to red when ripe in late summer
- Stem: Slender, brown to gray branches with thorny spur shoots
Care Guide
Watering
Water regularly during fruit development to prevent drought stress; avoid waterlogging
Fertilization
Apply balanced slow-release fertilizer to support new growth and fruiting. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers to prevent excessive leaf growth at the expense of fruiting
Eggshell powder topdress：Crush dried eggshells into fine powder; sprinkle 1 tbsp around the base of the shrub monthly to boost calcium levels and reduce blossom end rot in fruitsPruning
- Prune in late winter to remove dead, diseased, or crossing branches
- Thin crowded shoots to improve air circulation and increase fruiting potential
- Remove suckers growing from the base to maintain a compact, desired shrub shape
- Trim back overly long branches to encourage dense, rounded growth
Toxicity
Warning: this plant may be toxic.
Pets & Humans
Pets: ASPCA: Toxic due to cyanogenic glycosides in seeds; ingestion may cause gastrointestinal distress
Humans: Only seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides; ingestion of large quantities may cause abdominal discomfort
Garden Uses & Culture
Culture: N/A
Usage: Edible fruit used for jams, jellies, and fresh eating; coastal erosion control plant
