Peruvian Tree Tomato
Just about every garden in the highlands of Peru has one of these small trees, festooned with huge leaves and beautiful colorful fruit! The Tamarillo is native to the highlands of Peru, Chile, Ecuador and Bolivia and is a subtropical plant which flourishing between 5,000 and 10,000 ft. in its Andean homeland. It is a shallow-rooted plant growing to a height of 10 to 18 ft. and will grow well in cooler climates as well as containers and greenhouses. Frost at 28° F will burn back small branches and foliage of mature trees but not the largest branches and main stem. The tree will recover if such frosts are not too prolonged. The long-stalked, dangling fruit are borne singly or in clusters of 3 to 12 and are smooth and egg-shaped but pointed at both ends measuring 2 to 4 inches long. The skin color may be solid deep purple, blood red, orange or yellow, or red and yellow, and may have faint dark longitudinal stripes. While the skin is somewhat tough, the meat of the inner fruit is sweet and delicious. The seeds are edible as well. We offer this wonderful plant in one gallon containers while supplies last.