Tropical Eugenia Topiary

Tropical Eugenia Topiary Care

Eugenia Myrtifolium

What is the plant

Syzygium myrtifolium is a common tree we see planted along many public roads in Malaysia. It is regularly pruned to bring out the most striking feature, its colourful foliage. Eugenia trees are suitable as topiaries as they can be shaped into a boxed or compact form. The leaf shoots are orange-red and they change colour to yellow, pale green and then dark green as they mature. The flowers attract many butterflies, honey bees and carpenter bees, wasps and hornets. The tree is easy to grow since it is a native plant. It is found naturally in swamp forests along the coastal regions. Now we urbanites can find these trees along the city streets, public parks, gardens and many residential homes. They are often used as a hedging plant or ornamental tree, also sculptured into topiaries or even made into bonsai.

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Humidity

Normal

Lighting

Full Sun

Hardiness zone

10 - 11

Difficulty

Medium

Toxicity

Poisonous

How to Care for the Plant

Water
Water to keep the soil slightly moist, but not saturated and never let the soil dry out completely. Eugenia wilts dramatically when dry and the leaves quickly turn crunchy. Outdoor, set topiary eugenia in a sunny location so all parts of the plant receive direct sunlight.
Pruning
A sculpted Eugenia topiary can be a sight to see. From balls to spirals, even animals can be shaped from this versatile tree. Keeping these shapes requires occasional pruning and trimming. Topiary can be fun and allows you to have a hands-on approach to the tree’s appearance.
Fertilizer
Fertilizing a Eugenia topiary regularly helps keep the plant's foliage bright green and supports steady growth. Use a balanced fertilizer, such as a 10-10-10 formula, diluted at a rate of 1/4 teaspoon per gallon, every three of four weeks, but check the package label for additional directions.

Disease diagnosis

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Soil
Soil Requirements – An outdoor-grown Eugenia topiary thrives in any type of well-drained garden soil. It does poorly in soil that stays wet for long periods. It is a good idea to keep these plants in acidic soil (5.5 – 6.5pH). When planting outside, till to a depth of 18 inches minimum.
Temperature
During the warmer months, make sure that you keep the soil the plant is in nice and moist with distilled water. If you are growing these plants outdoors, you'll want to take them inside if you expect the temperature to drop below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. These plants tend to grow fairly slow, about 4 feet per year.
Additional
Additionally, some plants are perfectly fine around humans but can harm your pet or the outdoor animals that enjoy your garden. The leaves of the ficus contain a sap that can be very irritating to dogs, either on the skin or when ingested.