Best Feijoa Tree Varieties For New Zealand Gardens

Choosing The Best Feijoa Variety For NZ

Choosing a Feijoa tree variety that works for you can be challenging given the number that are available. Working through the different varieties, their sizes, and preferences, and so on, can take considerable time. The Plant Company’s series of short articles aims to offer concise and easy to follow advice and recommendations so you can determine the variety for your needs.

What Are Popular Feijoa Varieties In NZ?

There are numerous popular varieties of Feijoa in New Zealand and if The Plant Company was to recommend just two varieties, they would be Feijoa 'Mammoth' and Feijoa 'Unique'. Both varieties produce high yields of exceptional quality fruit on dense and colourful plants.

What Is The Dwarf Feijoa Tree In NZ?

The only truly dwarf variety of Feijoa in NZ is Feijoa 'Bambina'. It grows to 1.5 m tall and wide, and can be kept smaller with trimming. It produces bite sized fruit that don’t need peeling and are great eating. Check out our Feijoa 'Bambina' for more information.

What Is the Giant Feijoa Fruiting Variety?

If you're interested in feijoa varieties known for their larger fruit size, three options include:

• Feijoa 'Kaiteri': This early-ripening variety produces large, sweet fruit.
• Feijoa 'Apollo': This mid-season variety is known for its large, delicious fruit.
• Feijoa 'Mammoth': This mid-season variety produces large fruit that are very tasty.

Feijoa Apollo Characteristics

Feijoa 'Apollo' is a popular cultivar due to its delicious fruit and attractive features. It produces large, oval-shaped fruit with a thin, smooth skin that may have some russeting. The flesh inside is sweet, flavourful, and has a pleasant aroma. The fruit ripen in mid-autumn and it is considered an early season variety. Further characteristics include:

• While technically listed as partially self-fertile, ‘Apollo’ can still produce fruit on its own. However, planting another feijoa variety nearby will significantly improve pollination and lead to heavier crops.
• It is a vigorous and productive tree with an upright and spreading growth habit. It matures to 3-4 meters tall and 2-3 meters wide and can be pruned to a desired size and shape.
• Feijoa ‘Apollo’ tolerates wind, coastal environments, and periods of dry.
• It has beautiful, red flowers in late spring to mid-summer. These fragrant blooms add another layer of beauty to the tree.

Overall, Feijoa 'Apollo' is a versatile and rewarding choice for gardeners seeking a great Feijoa variety with attractive features and a hardy nature.

Feijoa Bambina Characteristics

Feijoa 'Bambina' is a dwarf variety of feijoa which is perfect for smaller spaces. Unlike most feijoas that can reach several metres tall, Bambina matures to a manageable size of around 1.5 m tall and wide. This makes it ideal for container planting on patios, balconies, or even small gardens. Some further characteristics include:

• Due to its compact size, ‘Bambina’ is ideal for pots.
• It produces small, bite-sized fruit with a thin, edible skin. The flesh inside is sweet, aromatic, and juicy, offering a delightful taste.
• Another advantage of Feijoa ‘Bambina’ is that it's self-fertile. This means it can produce fruit even if there are no other feijoa plants nearby.
• It fruits typically ripen from April onwards.
• It is also valued for its:
  • Evergreen foliage with attractive silvery-green leaves.
  • Potential as a low hedge with fruit production.
  • Status as a good source of Vitamin C and dietary fibre.

Overall, Feijoa 'Bambina' is a delightful choice for those seeking a space-saving feijoa option. Its manageable size, delicious fruit, and attractive flowers make it a versatile addition to various gardening situations.

Feijoa Trees In The Plant Company’s Database

The list of Feijoa trees that The Plant Company has cataloged, worked on, propagated, included in garden designs, and marketed is extensive. Our database of Feijoa varieties is listed below:

• Feijoa 'Anatoki'
• Feijoa 'Antoinette'
• Feijoa 'Apollo'
• Feijoa 'Arhart'
• Feijoa 'Bambina'
• Feijoa 'Den's Choice'
• Feijoa 'Gemini'
• Feijoa 'Golden Goose'
• Feijoa 'Kaiteri'
• Feijoa 'Kakariki'
• Feijoa 'Kakapo'
• Feijoa 'Mammoth'
• Feijoa 'Marion'
• Feijoa 'Opal Star'
• Feijoa 'Pounamu'
• Feijoa 'Sellowiana'
• Feijoa 'Takaka'
• Feijoa 'Triumph'
• Feijoa 'Unique'
• Feijoa 'White Goose'
• Feijoa 'Wiki Tu'