tags: #publish links: [[Plant and Tree Species]], created: 2020-11-16 Mon --- # Elaeocarpus reticulatus - Blueberry Ash https://www.anbg.gov.au/gnp/interns-2002/elaeocarpus-reticulatus.html https://ecoorganicgarden.com.au/gardening-tips/how-to-grow-blueberry-ash/ Elaeocarpus reticulatus "Prima Donna" is a (the?) pink-flowering variety. > Name meaning: *Elaeocarpus reticulatus* > **Elaeocarpus** - From the Greek elaia meaning 'olive' and karpos meaning 'fruit'; > **reticulatus** - Latin word meaning 'net-like' referring to the leaf venation. Rainforest tree. Height: 6m-15m Width: 3m-4m Best planted in a sunny position but can handle light shade. Not recommended for cold areas with heavy frosts. In milder areas young trees will need protection from light frosts until established. Somewhat frost tolerant once established. They prefer a rich, moist soil which drains well but will also grow in dry sandy soils and coastal conditions. They can tolerate clay too as long as it doesn’t remain waterlogged. Grows in moist areas such as gullies and around watercourses. Fire: [doesn't burn easily](https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2020-11-11/bushfire-smart-garden-explainer/12822068), but if it does, won't survive fire. - Excellent small shade or feature tree - Evergreen, fairly fast growing, - Masses of white or pink flowers in spring and summer, followed by attractive blue fruits in summer at the same time as flowers, long fruiting period - Ideal as a screen - [[Hornsby Council Native Plant Guides]] says it's suitable for our area ## Feeding Despite their versatility we still recommend improving sandy soils with some compost/manure before planting. For clay soils add eco-flo gypsum to improve drainage. Once planted apply eco-seaweed to the base of the tree to help it settle in. Mulch well to conserve moisture and keep weeds at bay. Young trees can be given eco-seaweed and eco-aminogro every 2-4 weeks to encourage strong growth but established trees will be content with being fed only once or twice a year with compost/manure/pelleted organic fertiliser (spring and autumn). ## Pruning Pruning is only necessary if being grown as a hedge and is best done after flowering. After pruning, it will resprout thickly, making it an excellent hedging plant. The new growth is an attractive pinkish colour. ## 2021-11-26 Planted 1x large by stream behind gazebo **Merry** - from [[Plants Plus Cumberland Forest orders#2021-11-25]] *Prima Donna* variety. 200mm pot, odd shape but suits extending over the stream. Planted with our compost mixed in. Very wet conditions, multiple days of rain before and after planting. ![[20211126 Elaeocarpus reticulatus - Blueberry Ash.jpg]] ![[20211126 Elaeocarpus reticulatus - Blueberry Ash 2.jpg]] ![[20211126 Elaeocarpus reticulatus - Blueberry Ash 3.jpg]] ## 2021-08-07 Planted 1x medium by S fence at end of bridge **Heath** - Bought from [[Sydney Wildflower Nursery, Heathcote]]. *Prima Donna* variety. 200mm pot. Only slightly smaller than the Leura planting even though that has grown. Planted with our compost mixed into the soil. Very dry conditions, watered heavily. ![[Blueberry ash - 20210807.jpg]] ![[Blueberry ash x3 20210811.jpg]] ## 2021-01 Planted 1x medium by S fence at stream E bank **Cherry** - Bought from [[Plants Plus Cumberland Forest]]. Different variety, lighter green leaves, sparser, already had blue berries on it. ## 2020-12-14 Planted 1x larger at fence corner across stream **Leura** - Bought from Birches of Leura. $25.80, approx 80cm high tree. Planted on top of decaying stumps - no places to dig a deep hole in this area - so it doesn't have a huge amount of space for roots. White to light pink variety, we think. Applied native fertiliser 4 caps, and mulch - reapply fertiliser in 6 months. ## 2020-12-08 Applied fertiliser 3-4 capfuls native fertiliser pellets on new one behind gazebo, and watered It says reapply in 6 months ## 2020-11-23 Planted 1x by fence behind gazebo **Terrey** - Bought 1x 140mm pot *Dark Pink Elly* variety at Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden nursery $14, approx 40cm high tree. This was our first planting at the new house! ![[2020-11-28 First planting at new house - Blueberry Ash.jpg]]