Black Surinam Cherry Tree Live Plant – 3 Gallon – 2-3 Feet Tall

Overview

Discover the joy of growing your own exotic fruit with the Black Surinam Cherry tree. This exceptional live plant, scientifically known as Eugenia uniflora ‘Black’, is a prized variety renowned for its abundant production of sweet, dark-colored fruits. Standing at an impressive 2-3 feet tall in a 3-gallon container, this plant is well-established and ready to be integrated into your garden or landscape. The black surinam cherry tree is not just a fruit producer; it’s also an attractive ornamental with glossy green leaves and delicate white flowers that precede the fruit.

Originating from South America, the Surinam Cherry is a versatile plant that can be grown as a shrub, a small tree, or even a hedge. The ‘Black’ variety offers a richer, sweeter flavor compared to its red counterparts, making it a favorite among tropical fruit enthusiasts. Its compact growth habit and adaptability make it an excellent choice for home gardeners looking for a productive and beautiful edible fruit tree.

Key Benefits

The Black Surinam Cherry tree offers a multitude of benefits, combining aesthetic appeal with practical advantages for any garden:

• Delicious Edible Fruit: Enjoy a continuous supply of sweet, juicy, dark red to black cherries directly from your garden. These fruits are perfect for fresh eating, jams, jellies, and desserts. The flavor profile of the ‘Black’ variety is particularly sought after for its enhanced sweetness and reduced tartness.
• Ornamental Appeal: With its attractive glossy foliage, delicate white flowers, and vibrant fruit, this plant adds significant visual interest to any landscape. It’s a beautiful addition even when not in fruit, providing year-round greenery.
• High Nutritional Value: Surinam cherries are packed with vitamins A and C, antioxidants, and other beneficial compounds, contributing to a healthy diet. Growing your own ensures a fresh, organic source.
• Versatile Growth Habit: Can be pruned to grow as a small tree, a dense shrub, or an attractive hedge, adapting to various garden designs and space constraints. This flexibility makes it suitable for many outdoor settings.
• Relatively Low Maintenance: Once established, the black surinam cherry tree is quite resilient and requires minimal fuss, making it an ideal choice for both experienced and novice gardeners.
• Attracts Wildlife: The flowers attract pollinators like bees, and the fruits are a favorite among birds, adding life and biodiversity to your garden ecosystem.
• Fast Growing and Productive: This variety grows relatively quickly and can start producing fruit within a few years, offering a rewarding experience for patient gardeners.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

To ensure your Black Surinam Cherry tree thrives and produces abundant fruit, follow these essential care and growing tips. This plant prefers a warm, sunny environment to flourish. It should receive at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. In very hot climates, some afternoon shade can be beneficial to prevent leaf scorch. If you’re looking for detailed surinam cherry plant care, remember that consistent moisture and good drainage are key.

Watering is crucial, especially during dry periods and when the plant is young. The soil should be kept consistently moist but never waterlogged. Allow the top inch or two of soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Good drainage is paramount; soggy roots can lead to root rot. For soil, the black surinam cherry tree prefers a fertile, well-draining soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0-7.0). Amending heavy clay soils with organic matter can improve drainage and aeration. Regarding temperature, it is best suited for tropical and subtropical climates, generally hardy in USDA Zones 9-11. It can tolerate light frosts but prolonged freezing temperatures will damage or kill the plant. Fertilize with a balanced slow-release fertilizer in spring and mid-summer, following package instructions. Pruning can be done to maintain shape, size, and encourage fruit production. Remove any dead, diseased, or crossing branches. Pests are generally not a major issue, but keep an eye out for common garden pests and treat as needed with organic solutions.

Size & Details

This offering is for a vibrant Black Surinam Cherry tree, supplied in a 3-gallon nursery pot. The plant stands approximately 2-3 feet tall from the base of the pot to the tip of the highest branch, making it a substantial specimen ready for planting. The growth rate of the eugenia uniflora black is considered moderate, allowing it to reach a mature height of 10-20 feet if left unpruned, though it can be kept smaller with regular trimming. It typically forms a dense, bushy habit. Expect the plant to establish quickly in its new environment, with fruit production often beginning within 1-2 years of planting, given optimal conditions. The fruits are small, ribbed, and transition from green to yellow, then orange, and finally a deep dark red to black when fully ripe, indicating their peak sweetness. This makes it an ideal tropical fruit plant for home gardeners.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this plant get? A: This black surinam cherry tree is currently 2-3 feet tall in a 3-gallon pot. If left unpruned, it can grow up to 10-20 feet tall, but it can be easily maintained at a smaller size with regular pruning, making it versatile for various garden spaces.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: The black surinam cherry tree is primarily an outdoor plant, thriving in USDA Zones 9-11. In colder climates, it can be grown in a large container and brought indoors during winter months or treated as an annual.
• Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: This plant requires at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily to produce the best fruit. Partial shade is acceptable in very hot climates during the intense afternoon sun.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Yes, the eugenia uniflora black is considered relatively easy to care for once established. It’s drought-tolerant to some extent but performs best with consistent watering and well-draining soil.
• Q: What condition will it arrive in? A: Your black surinam cherry tree will arrive as a healthy, live plant, securely packaged in its 3-gallon nursery pot, ready for planting or transplanting. We take great care to ensure its safe journey to you.
• Q: How long until it fruits? A: This plant is well-established, so you can typically expect fruit production within 1-2 years of planting, sometimes even sooner, under ideal growing conditions.
• Q: What’s the best soil for a Surinam Cherry? A: It prefers a fertile, well-draining soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. A good quality potting mix amended with compost works well for container growing, while garden soil should be well-drained for in-ground planting.
• Q: Can I grow this tropical fruit plant in a container? A: Absolutely! The black surinam cherry tree adapts very well to container growing, especially in regions outside its hardiness zones, allowing you to move it indoors during colder periods.
• Q: How often should I fertilize? A: Fertilize your black surinam cherry tree twice a year, once in early spring and again in mid-summer, using a balanced, slow-release granular fertilizer or a liquid feed.
• Q: Is this variety sweeter than other Surinam Cherries? A: The ‘Black’ variety of Surinam Cherry is specifically known for its enhanced sweetness and reduced resinous flavor compared to the more common red varieties, making it a highly desirable choice for fresh eating.