At the risk of showing my complete ignorance, I'll admit that I would seem to have made a howler of a mistake.

Roughly six months ago, I went looking for a fast-growing Syzygium that would reach 15m and provide shade for the front of my house, and came home with the 'Wax Jambu', Syzygium Jambolana (yes, I know its not native,but bear with me, gentle reader). Over the past month or so, I have watched this plant's growth rate with awe - it really is taking off. Its growing alright - into something which looks awfully like a gum tree !

There are one of two possiblities - the tag was incorrect (I cant find it ..) or I have grabbed the wrong pot from the bench - either way, this plant looks nothing like my other two exotic Syzygiums (Jambos and Eugenia Brasiliensis). While I have to admit that I like the 'juvenile' appearance very much, I swore that I'd never have a Eucalypt within 100 metres of the house.

Has anyone else ever been caught out like this, or am I the only person who could be this thick ?

Cheers,

Artie

Pos, if my block was over 1000 sq m (its less than 700), I'd strongly consider a Eucalypt - I do like the aesthetics of many of the Corymbia's, for example. The problem is that the majority of them become far too large, and the branches can be a danger to life and property when they come down.

I'll try to find someone who can give me a positive ID on the thing, then I'll probably remove it before it gets any larger. Painful, but a lot easier now than in 6 months time - if only the rest of my plants grew so quickly :(

Roy

Thanks for that - its reassuring to know that I got what I paid for, even if it bears little resemblance to my other Syzygiums. I take comfort in the fact that Corymbias are also myrtles, and they dont look much like my lillypilliys.

Grant, you are on the wrong side of Rocky with your guess. Allenstown has become increasingly popular over the last 12 or so months, but everyone knows that the Northside is the place to be :)

This looks like a nice tree and bears fruit too ?
How does it go in clay?

Where did you end up buying it from artiew? (Which Nursery?)

ps. first post :)

cheers

I think you'll find that many of the regulars have an aversion to non-native rainforest species such as Syz. Jambolana, often with good reason. These plants often have characteritstics which can make them difficult to live with in a suburban garden, and absolutely devastating if they escape into the bush.

At this stage, I'm not aware of specific weed issues relating to Syzygium Jambolana or Syzygium Jambos (very commonly stocked amidst the 'Natives' at places like Bunnings...), but its clear that both are tough, fast-growing trees, so I have little difficulty imagining them as such. I bought my Jambolana from 'Rocky Palm Farm' on High St, and I believe that it will eventually bear a large apple-like fruit - see the link below for further details. I also trusted my nurseryman's advice that it wont grow too large in my garden, and it is quite waterwise for a rainforest plant, but I am haunted by the realisation that I have ignored the 'local provenance' edict yet again. Surrounded by gardens which have few, if any, rainforest species, I told myself that anything in the Syzygium family had to be an improvement, but I would prefer to have planted something indigeneous to Central Queensland. At this stage, I'm following the plants rapid progress with awe, and procrastinating on whether to replace it or not.

Cheers,

Artie