Cyphomandra betacea Teds Red Tamarillo

Cyphomandra betaceaTeds Red Tamerillo is a fast-growing small evergreen tree originally from South America, including Peru and Chile. It has large, soft, heart-shaped leaves and produces clusters of fragrant pink flowers. The flowers are followed by red, egg-shaped fruit that grow in clusters along the stems. The flesh is tangy and slightly tart with a rich fruity flavour. Tamarillos are often used in sauces, chutneys and jams, or simply eaten fresh with a sprinkle of sugar to balance their natural tartness. Once the plant reaches around 1 metre tall, pinch out the tip to encourage branching and keep the tree from growing too tall to easily reach the fruit. In cooler areas, frosts will naturally prune the tree. After the frost period has passed, remove any old or dead wood. In frost-free areas, pruning will need to be done manually to prevent overcrowding. Teds Red can also be grown in large pots in cooler climates and moved to a protected spot over winter.

Soil: Well-drained soil.

Conditions: Full sun. Protect from wind and heavy frosts. Coastal hardy.

Size: Height 2-4m x width 1.5-3m