Diospyros lycioides | Bluebush, Star-apple for sale | Bloubos

Diospyros lycioides (Blubush, also known as Star-apple) is a small, deciduous tree with a shrub-like growth form and non-aggressive roots. The tree is known for its edible fruit. It is very hardy, drought tolerant and not particularly fussy when it comes to soil type. Consequently it grows almost throughout South Africa. The tree's popular name "Bluebush", ("Bloubos" in Afrikaans) comes from its grey-green leaves. When viewed from a distance they give it a blueish appearance.

A few gardening ideas:

Plant Blue-bush as a screening tree or to create a bush veld look in your garden. Its orange-red fruit will attract fruit eating birds, while its sweetly scented flowers will attract insects and bees. It is a no-nonsense, easy grower that tolerates almost all soil types and requires very little (if any) maintenance. Diospyros lycioides is recommended for planting in a small garden. It also grows well in a container, but will require occasional feeding and pruning.

Value to honeybees: Nectar, N1-4  Pollen, P0-2;  Flowering months 9-2, (10-12).   (See  blog-post "The bee-value of South Africa's trees" for an explanation of codes)