Pernettya

Dwarf or small shrub, 0.6-1 m tall and wide, dense with many shoots, like a thicket due to its runners, twigs wiry thin, upright; slow-growing.

Dioecious, white flower bells in May to beginning of June, plentiful.

Colourful, clustered at the end of twigs, round, size and consistency similar to Symphoricarpos; colour varies from white to crimson-red; male varieties needed for guaranteed plentiful fruit production although there are hermaphrodite varieties.

Persistent, September to December, berries left alone by birds; taste is repugnant, acidic/bitter, poisonous.

Evergreen, small, elliptical, prickly-pointed, pale shiny green, bronze in winter.

Best fruit in full sun, but sensitive to winter sun, better in shade to light shade, sensitive to heat, cool and humid areas, sensitive to frost, needs wind protection.

Fresh to damp; very acidic to slightly acidic, avoid chalk; humic.