Cherry of the Rio Grande
(eugenia aggregata)
The cherry of the rio grande is a delicious and very ornamental backyard fruit that can be grown in Southern California.
Cherry of the Rio Grande Information
The cherry of the Rio Grande (also known as rio grande cherry) is a very ornamental plant or small tree with its bright green trunk that originated in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
The cherry of the Rio Grande likes full sun in Southern California, and once established it can withstand several degrees below freezing with little effect and it is fairly drought tolerant as well.
The Cherry of the Rio Grande is an evergreen shrub or small tree which commonly grows to about 15 feet in California.
It is not a true cherry and has dark green, glossy, waxy leaves. As the tree grows, the bark peels off revealing the bright green trunk.
The cherry of the Rio Grande is early flowering in springtime with fruits typically ripening in California in June. The flowers are white and very attractive. The fruit when ripe is deep red-purple to almost black with an oblong shape, and it ripens about 4-6 weeks after flowering.
The fruit are highly prized fresh and also as jellies, jams or juices. The fruits also freeze quite well, so they can be picked at maturity and frozen for later use.
The Rio Grande cherry is usually propagated by seed since grafting has a low success rate, and seedlings usually take 8-10 years to begin producing fruit.
Growing Cherry of the Rio Grande
Cherries of the Rio Grande are easy to grow, requiring very little maintenance for the growth of healthy, productive plants. The cherry of the Rio Grande requires very little pruning, only what is necessary to keep an attractive shape. The fruit size & quality depends mostly on having an adequate water supply at the time of flowering and during fruit development.
The plants should be watered regularly during flowering and fruit development. The cherry of the Rio Grande has fairly good drought tolerance throughout the rest of the year in California.
Purchasing Cherry of the Rio Grande Trees
In California, Tropical Oasis Farms has Cherry of the Rio Grande plants for sale in a variety of sizes ranging from 6 to 12 years old.
Date Palms & Tree Ripened Fruit
In California, Tropical Oasis Farms has medjool date palms available in all sizes, along with several other date palm varieties including male date palms for pollination and for landscaping.The medjool date palm is the most popular by far In California for date production, and it is also considered one of the best date palm varieties for landscaping.
Tropical Oasis Farms also has halawi date palm & barhi date palm rooted offshoots available.
Our fresh picked medjool date program has been a huge success!
In the fall each year, we can ship orders for
organically grown freshly picked medjool dates, as well as other date varieties.
We also occasionally have a variety of other
rare and exotic fruits that were grown organically and
allowed to fully ripen on the tree.
Our fresh picked medjool dates are available in September-October each year.
Frequently Asked Questions
- SHIPPING: For small to medium size trees, we recommend that customers personally pick up their own trees and take them home in their vehicle. Local delivery of your selections to your driveway is seasonally available (only in Southern California, minimum purchase $350) with a delivery cost from $30 to $150 depending on the round-trip mileage (150 mile maximum round-trip travel distance). Transport for large trees/palms can also be arranged. We do not offer "mail order" shipping for plants & trees.
- MEDJOOL DATE PALMS: Our medjool date palm offshoots (and our other palm varieties) are grown near Palm Springs, in California. Medjool date palm offshoots in 15 gallon pots are available for pick-up in Rancho Cucamonga, California, by appoinment only. Delivery of medjool date palm trees to homeowners in Southern California can be arranged at certain times of year. We do recommend homeowners hire an experienced landscaper (we are not offering landscaping services, sorry!) for planting & irrigation services.
- SUB TROPICAL FRUIT TREES: Available for pick-up in Rancho Cucamonga, California, by appoinment only, at one of our two locations. To make an appointment & get directions, please call 909 941 1060 a few days prior to your desired appointment time.
- PAYMENT: We accept Cash, Check, American Express, Visa, Mastercard & Discover. You can pay in advance or at the time of pick up.
- MAILING ADDRESS: Tropical Oasis Farms, PO Box 1011, Rancho Cucamonga, California 91729
- Grafted trees, trees grown from cuttings, off-shoots, and air layered trees are described as such. All other trees are seedlings.
- SEEDS: We do offer organically grown SEEDS year round: medjool date seeds.
- FRESH MEDJOOL DATES: organically grown in California, fresh picked medjool dates are available in October each year.
- GUARANTEE: We guarantee our plants and trees to be in good condition at the time of sale.
- SUITABILITY: For questions regarding the suitability of plants or trees for your climate (and how to care for them), the CRFG website has lots of great information.
- For all other questions, you may contact us at: Tropical Oasis Farms, PO Box 1011, Rancho Cucamonga, California 91729