Austromyrtus dulcis or Midgen Berry

Austromyrtus Dulcis - Midyim Berry — Austromyrtus Dulcis – Midyim Berry

Midgen Berry

Austromyrtus dulcis also known as Midyim Berry is a ‘bush tucker plant’ that is found Northern NSW (New South Wales) through to Fraser Island in Queensland.

This is a low growing shrubby spreading shrub reaching up to 2 m. Sometimes used as a ground cover plant it occasionally called the ‘sand berry’.

Regarded as one of the best of all of the Bush Tucker Plants it also doubles as an attractive garden plant. Fruit can be harvested in autumn and plants can be given a very light prune at this stage as well. The fruit does not travel well so is rarely seen for sale away from it natural habitat.

Being a small shrubby plant this is a Bush Tucker plant that can be grown in a container.

How to grow Midgen Berry

Midgen or Midgenberry grows naturally in warmer climates, it prefers the following conditions, however is adaptable to a range of well drained soils. Growing well in light shade to full sun Austromyrtus dulcis requires a frost free position. It also grows well in coastal conditions.

Plant Midgen berry in a position with full sun to light dappled afternoon shade.
In cooler climates make sure you choose a frost free position.
A well drained soil is important, poorly drained soils should be avoided.
Lightly mulch around the plant to help maintain a cool root run.

Watering

This is a drought tolerant plant once established, however for best fruit production deep watering in spring and summer is recommended. Always allow the soil to dry between waterings, and never let it remain wet and soggy.

When to harvest Midgen Berry

The fruit that follows the white flowers of summer is a speckled white about the size of a small birds egg, sweet with an unusual taste.

The fruit is best harvested when it is soft and easily falls off the plant. Fruit needs to be eaten or processed immediately as it does not last well after ripening.

Eat the fruit fresh, with ice cream, or use them to make jams and preserves or in baking.

Try spreading a sheet beneath the plant and gently shaking the bush.

Pruning

The best time to prune is immediately after harvesting which will be in late summer to autumn.

Light pruning is recommend as the flowers, and therefore fruits appear on older growth. New foliage can be capped back every few months to keep the plant compact.

Reaching a height of around 90cm in good conditions the plant will spread over 2m, sometines more. As it can be pruned it can also make an interesting low hedge.

Details

Botanical Name – Austromyrtus dulcis
Common Name – Midyim berries, Midgen berry, sand berry.
Position – Full Sun to part shade
Soil – Well drained
Height – .5m to 1m
Spread to 1.5m
Flowers – White star shaped
Flowering Time – Summer
Foliage – Mid to deep green
Pruning – After harvesting berries.
Uses – Bird attracting, fruiting plant, useful filler in the garden border.