Ehretia rigida | Puzzle-bush for sale | Deurmekaarbos

Puzzle-bush (Deurmekaarbos) is a small, deciduous tree with a compact, shrub-like growth form and non-aggressive roots. Its branches inter twine to form an informal, dense structure. (Hence the descriptive and beautiful Afrikaans name which can be translated as "disordered bush", or "mixed-up bush") The tree is known for its attractive, sweetly scented, mauve to blue flowers  (sometimes borne in profusion) and its bright orange-red, edible berry-like fruit. Ehretia rigida tolerates  severe frost (up to -6 degrees Celsius) and is quite water wise. It grows at a medium rate.

A few gardening ideas:

Puzzle-bush is a no-nonsense, easy grower, requiring only occasional pruning (perhaps once in 3 years) to control is spread.  Its compact form offers a neat presentation throughout the year.  This species is highly recommended for planting in a small or even very small garden. It grows well in a container, responds favorably to pruning and can, for example, be pruned into a decorative pendulous "lolly pop" shape. Plant one or more trees as focal point near to your swimming pool. It is also a deserving screening tree. Birds love its fruit!

Value to honeybees: Nectar, N1-3;  Pollen, P0-2;  Flowering months 8-2, (9-10).   (See  blog-post "The bee-value of South Africa's trees" for an explanation of codes)