{"product_id":"carissa-macrocarpa","title":"Carissa macrocarpa","description":"\u003cp\u003eCarissa macrocarpa, also known as \u003cstrong\u003eChristmas plum\u003c\/strong\u003e or \u003cstrong\u003eAfrican jasmine\u003c\/strong\u003e, is an evergreen shrub native to South Africa and particularly suited to the warmer regions of our country. Its striking snow-white flowers last for most of the year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e---\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable width=\"100%\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" style=\"height: 215.532px;\"\u003e\n\n\u003ctbody data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n\n\u003ctr data-mce-fragment=\"1\" style=\"height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e\n\n\u003ctd data-mce-fragment=\"1\" style=\"height: 19.5938px;\"\u003eSize\u003c\/td\u003e\n\n\u003ctd style=\"text-align: right; height: 19.5938px;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003e9x9x20 pot\u003c\/td\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\n\u003ctr data-mce-fragment=\"1\" style=\"height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e\n\n\u003ctd data-mce-fragment=\"1\" style=\"height: 19.5938px;\"\u003eFamily\u003c\/td\u003e\n\n\u003ctd style=\"text-align: right; height: 19.5938px;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003eApocynaceae\u003c\/td\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\n\u003ctr data-mce-fragment=\"1\" style=\"height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e\n\n\u003ctd data-mce-fragment=\"1\" style=\"height: 19.5938px;\"\u003eType\u003c\/td\u003e\n\n\u003ctd style=\"text-align: right; height: 19.5938px;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003eShrub\u003c\/td\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\n\u003ctr data-mce-fragment=\"1\" style=\"height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e\n\n\u003ctd data-mce-fragment=\"1\" style=\"height: 19.5938px;\"\u003eFoliage\u003c\/td\u003e\n\n\u003ctd style=\"text-align: right; height: 19.5938px;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003eGreen, evergreen\u003c\/td\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\n\u003ctr data-mce-fragment=\"1\" style=\"height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e\n\n\u003ctd data-mce-fragment=\"1\" style=\"height: 19.5938px;\"\u003eFlower colour\u003c\/td\u003e\n\n\u003ctd style=\"text-align: right; height: 19.5938px;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003eWhite\u003c\/td\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\n\u003ctr data-mce-fragment=\"1\" style=\"height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e\n\n\u003ctd data-mce-fragment=\"1\" style=\"height: 19.5938px;\"\u003eFlowering period\u003c\/td\u003e\n\n\u003ctd style=\"text-align: right; height: 19.5938px;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003eMay, June, July, August, September, October\u003c\/td\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\n\u003ctr data-mce-fragment=\"1\" style=\"height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e\n\n\u003ctd data-mce-fragment=\"1\" style=\"height: 19.5938px;\"\u003eCold hardiness\u003c\/td\u003e\n\n\u003ctd style=\"text-align: right; height: 19.5938px;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003eDown to -3°C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\n\u003ctr data-mce-fragment=\"1\" style=\"height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e\n\n\u003ctd data-mce-fragment=\"1\" style=\"height: 19.5938px;\"\u003eDrought tolerance\u003c\/td\u003e\n\n\u003ctd style=\"text-align: right; height: 19.5938px;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003eHigh\u003c\/td\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\n\u003ctr data-mce-fragment=\"1\" style=\"height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e\n\n\u003ctd data-mce-fragment=\"1\" style=\"height: 19.5938px;\"\u003eSalt tolerance\u003c\/td\u003e\n\n\u003ctd style=\"text-align: right; height: 19.5938px;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\n\u003ctr data-mce-fragment=\"1\" style=\"height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e\n\n\u003ctd data-mce-fragment=\"1\" style=\"height: 19.5938px;\"\u003eMaximum height\u003c\/td\u003e\n\n\u003ctd style=\"text-align: right; height: 19.5938px;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003e2 m\u003c\/td\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\n\u003ctr data-mce-fragment=\"1\" style=\"height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e\n\n\u003ctd data-mce-fragment=\"1\" style=\"height: 19.5938px;\"\u003eExposure\u003c\/td\u003e\n\n\u003ctd style=\"text-align: right; height: 19.5938px;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003eFull sun\u003c\/td\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDESCRIPTION OF CHRISTMAS PLUM\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCarissa macrocarpa is an evergreen shrub with fleshy, glossy leaves in a beautiful bright green colour that greatly enhances the plant's ornamental appeal. The stems have numerous forked thorns; it is precisely because of this feature that Christmas plum is ideal for creating defensive hedges that keep unwanted animals away.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom late spring to early autumn, Carissa macrocarpa is covered in star-shaped white flowers with a waxy texture and a fragrance reminiscent of jasmine (a characteristic that has earned this species the nickname \u003cstrong\u003eAfrican jasmine\u003c\/strong\u003e). The fragrance tends to intensify at night, while during the day the pristine white flowers of the Carissa attract many bees and butterflies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFRUITS OF CARISSA MACROCARPA\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDuring summer and autumn, while the flowers are still present, the \u003cstrong\u003eChristmas plum\u003c\/strong\u003e produces many fruits resembling small plums with an intense purple colour and a sweet, slightly tart flavour, somewhere between that of a strawberry and a cranberry. The fruits can be eaten fresh or used to make fruit salads and jams. The pulp of Carissa macrocarpa fruits is rich in beneficial properties due to its high content of vitamin C, antioxidants, magnesium, potassium and iron.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #ff2a00;\"\u003eCaution:\u003c\/span\u003e It is important to remember that, with the exception of the fruit, all parts of the \u003cstrong\u003eCarissa macrocarpa plant\u003c\/strong\u003e are poisonous. The pulp of the \u003cstrong\u003eChristmas plum fruits\u003c\/strong\u003e contains about ten seeds that must be removed before consumption, as they are also toxic.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis should come as no surprise, as Carissa macrocarpa is closely related to oleander: both belong to the Apocynaceae family, a name derived from Greek meaning “far from dogs,” precisely to indicate that ingesting certain parts of these plants can be harmful to the health of animals or people.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCULTIVATION AND MAINTENANCE OF CHRISTMAS PLUM\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCarissa macrocarpa prefers full sun. It may also benefit from a few hours of afternoon shade, but it should be remembered that flowering and fruit production will decrease in proportion to the number of hours the plant spends in the shade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChristmas plum has poor cold tolerance, as it is native to regions with particularly warm climates. If grown in a pot, it should be moved to a sheltered location when the cold season arrives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe plant easily withstands long dry spells, but it dislikes waterlogging and therefore thrives in well-drained soils. It will therefore require very infrequent watering, limited to times when the soil is completely dry. In winter, watering should be further reduced and carried out only on days that are not too cold. If grown in a pot, the \u003cstrong\u003eAfrican jasmine\u003c\/strong\u003e will need regular but infrequent watering (approximately once every 10 days).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCarissa macrocarpa does not require any special pruning, other than that dictated by personal preference to control the size of the plant or give it a more uniform appearance. If pruning is chosen, it is best to do so at the end of winter so as not to compromise flowering and fruiting in the following months.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe plant tolerates salt spray well, making it an excellent choice for coastal areas.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"BotanicalDryGarden","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":36830161010856,"sku":"","price":18.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0458\/0727\/2104\/products\/botanical-dry-garden-carissa-macrocarpa.png?v=1617199027","url":"https:\/\/www.botanicaldrygarden.com\/en\/products\/carissa-macrocarpa","provider":"BotanicalDryGarden","version":"1.0","type":"link"}