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Carissa 'Bispinosa' (Forest Num Num) is a drought-resistant, evergreen shrub with handsome, glossy foliage and fragrant, starry-white, jasmine-like flowers. Ornamental and edible, scarlet to crimson oval fruits are produced after flowering, making this an attractive, ornamental shrub that makes excellent hedges.

Why You'll Love It:
• Drought-resistant and water smart
• Makes excellent impenetrable hedges with thorns
• Does well in coastal areas
• Indigenous and low maintenance
• Attractive to birds and wildlife
• Perfect for security hedging

Planting & Care:
Plant 1m apart to form an impenetrable hedge in sun to semi-shade with well-drained soil. Water regularly during establishment, then reduce as plant becomes drought-tolerant. Feed with balanced fertilizer in spring to encourage healthy growth and abundant flowering.

Natal Plum (Carissa Macrocarpa), also commonly known as 'Large Num-Num', is a proudly indigenous plant that's an extremely easy-to-grow, thorny shrub often used for hedges. It produces glossy, deep green leaves and highly fragrant, snowy white flowers in summer, followed by ornamental plump, round, crimson edible fruit in summer and autumn.

Why You'll Love It:
• Highly fragrant, snowy white flowers in summer
• Ornamental plump, round, crimson edible fruit in summer and autumn
• Glossy, deep green evergreen leaves
• Extremely easy-to-grow and low maintenance
• Thorny shrub creates impenetrable security hedge
• Popular indigenous choice for coastal gardens
• Hardy and waterwise once established
• Salt-tolerant - perfect for coastal areas
• Fruit and flowers appear at the same time

Planting & Care:
Plant 1m apart for an impenetrable hedge in full sun with well-drained soil. Water regularly during establishment, then reduce as plant becomes drought-tolerant. Prune to maintain desired shape and encourage bushy growth. Feed with balanced fertilizer in spring to encourage vigorous growth and abundant flowering.

Carissa ‘Green Carpet’ a compact, dwarf form of Carissa macrocarpa that makes an exceptionally tough and attractive evergreen groundcover. It forms a dense, low mat of glossy emerald-green foliage, rarely reaching above knee height. Fragrant white, star-shaped flowers and occasional red, edible fruits add seasonal interest, making it as beautiful as it is durable. Excellent for borders, slopes, containers and commercial landscapes where low maintenance and year-round structure are essential. Indigenous and perfectly suited to Western Cape conditions.

Why You'll Love It:
• Dense, glossy evergreen groundcover
• Stays naturally compact and rarely grows above knee height
• Fragrant white flowers with occasional red edible fruit
• Excellent for slopes, borders and containers
• Hardy, drought-resistant and ideal for low-maintenance gardens
• Widely used in commercial landscapes for its reliability
• Indigenous and well adapted to Western Cape climates

Planting & Care:
Plant in full sun or light semi-shade in well-drained soil enriched with compost. Water regularly during the first few months, then reduce as the plant becomes naturally drought-tolerant. Space plants 60–80 cm apart to create a full, continuous carpet. Trim lightly to maintain shape or encourage denser growth. Ideal under trees, along pathways, on retaining walls or as a tough filler for large landscape areas.