I wasn’t familiar with Myrceugenias until recently. I’ve heard it’s closely related to Luma Apiculata which I’ve been eating different varieties this season. I visited Wanderlust nursery and found he had some Myrceugenias in his collection and I had no idea they were hardy enough for Washington. Is myrceugenia glaucescens hardy enough to CA zone 9b? I had them in my greenhouse but it would be great if I could leave them outside. Also any info on fruit would be great
Matt from Wanderlust Nursery here! Many Myrceugenia species are very cold hardy, other's not as much. I primarily grow (in zone 8b) the Chilean and Argentinian species like M. ovata, M. exsucca, M. parviflora, and M. leptospermoides. I'm trying to establish M. planipes and M. lanceolata. The species from Brazil/ Paraguay/ Uruguay are probably not AS cold hardy, but should be fine in zone 9b.
If you're looking for other hardy South American Myrtaceae that are less common, consider Myrcianthes, Blepharocalyx, and Amomyrtus. Amomyrtus meli berries are small, but sweet and incredibly aromatic, similar to bay rum. That Myrceugenia glaucescens looks really interesting, I'll have to try it!