Carissa macrocarpa 'Desert Star' (Natal Plum): The Hardy Evergreen for Your Garden

If you're looking for a versatile, tough, and attractive plant, Carissa macrocarpa 'Desert Star', commonly known as the Natal Plum, could be the perfect choice for your garden. With its compact size, stunning foliage, and ability to thrive in challenging conditions, it's a favorite among Australian gardeners. Let’s take a closer look at why this low-maintenance plant is such a standout.

Key Features of Carissa macrocarpa 'Desert Star'

  • Mature size

    1-2m tall and wide, making it suitable for various garden spaces.

  • Recommended spacing

    For a hedge, space plants 50cm to 1m apart, depending on the density you desire.

  • Ideal growing conditions

    Thrives in full sun to part shade, adapting well to different light conditions.

  • Growth rate

    Moderate, ensuring a steady and manageable growth.

Uses in the Garden

Carissa macrocarpa 'Desert Star' is a truly versatile plant, suitable for a wide range of uses in your garden:

  • Pot/container plant: Its compact size makes it perfect for pots and containers.
  • Small gardens: Ideal for tight spaces where you need a low-maintenance option.
  • Understory planting: Works well beneath larger trees and shrubs.
  • Garden filler: Use it as a reliable filler plant in beds and borders.
  • Mass plantings: Perfect for creating large areas of lush green foliage.
  • Lining driveways: Its dense growth is great for lining driveways or paths.
  • Informal hedge: Provides a relaxed yet structured border when planted as a hedge.
  • Rockeries and short hedges: Fits well into rock gardens or used as a low hedge.
  • Borders and edges: Great for defining garden spaces with neat edges.
  • Coastal gardens: Extremely tolerant to salt and wind, making it perfect for coastal planting.

Noteworthy Characteristics

  • Hardy evergreen

    Maintains its lush, green appearance year-round.

  • Low maintenance

    Requires minimal care once established, making it perfect for busy gardeners.

  • Tolerant

    Withstands pruning, coastal conditions, wind, and drought, making it an ideal plant for harsh Australian climates.

Colour and Growth Form

  • Growth form

    Carissa macrocarpa ‘Desert Star’ is a compact, bushy shrub with a rounded shape.

  • Foliage

    The glossy green leaves provide a lush, attractive look all year round.

  • Flowers

    In spring and summer, you'll enjoy star-shaped, fragrant white flowers that add an extra layer of beauty to your garden.

Why Choose Carissa macrocarpa 'Desert Star'?

If you're after a reliable, drought-tolerant, and low-maintenance plant, Carissa macrocarpa 'Desert Star' is a must-have for your garden. Whether you're creating an informal hedge, adding structure to your coastal garden, or just need a tough, attractive filler, this evergreen shrub can handle it all.

You can easily buy Carissa macrocarpa 'Desert Star' online from Platypus Plants, with delivery available across Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, South East Queensland, and beyond. Add this beautiful, hardy plant to your garden and enjoy its year-round beauty and resilience!