Re:Carissa Macrocarpa

C. macrocarpa had a surge of popularity in the Bay Area throughout the 80's as I
recollect. Then we had the 90 (or was it '91?) hard freeze, and lot's of them
were killed, resulting in their loss of reputation.  I think with a west (or
better yet south) exposure and full afternoon sun you could get away with it in
the warmest parts of Oakland if you also give it decent drainage so it doesn't
sit in cold soggy clay all winter. I'd also spray it with Cloud Cover anytime
temps are likely to go below freezing. But truthfully they don't flower and
fruit as well up here so you may be frustrated, though I think their foliage is
nice for its own sake.

Deborah Lindsay
Oakland, California
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