Fruitopia Nursery
Blue Tongue
Blue Tongue
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Popular and pretty native alternative to exotic tibouchinas, with flowers off and on through the year, and bushtucker berries to follow.
The Blue Tongue gets its name from its sweet, blue-black fruits that stain the mouth. It is known as Native Lasiandra, or as “Dhumulu” in the Yolngu language. In Australia, it can be found growing wild in the Kimberley region of WA, across the Northern Territory and Queensland, and as far south as Kempsey on the New South Wales coast.
Blue Tongue flowers continually throughout Spring and Summer, producing showy mauve to purple flowers that last just a few days before small black berries begin to appear. This sweet fruit is best eaten fresh, and offers a fun and messy novelty for children.
Berries can be picked and eaten directly off the shrub.
This hardy evergreen prefers part shade, and will need protection from hot winds and hot afternoon sun in the Summer. Ensure a rich, moist soil that drains freely. With its leathery, dark green foliage and contrasting red stems, this shrub is the perfect addition to an ornamental garden.
Blue Tongue grows fast, reaching up to 3m in height. It produces no nectar, but plenty of pollen, and will attract bees, hoverflies, and other pollen-loving critters.
Aboriginal name(s):
- Dhumulu (Yolngu)
How often should I prune my Blue Tongue shrub?
You’ve probably noticed that a Blue Tongue grows very fast. Feel free to prune it throughout the year to keep it at a manageable size.
Will my Blue Tongue survive the winter?
Blue Tongue is a rainforest species that will tolerate some cold, but may not survive a heavy frost. If your tree gets hit by a frost early in the cold season, you’ll need to protect it from further damage. Water well, then cover with burlap, sheets or a tarp that extends to the ground to trap in warmth – use a frame or stakes to minimise contact between the cover and the plant.
How to care for your fruit tree
How to care for your fruit tree
When you receive your fruit trees please unpackage them as soon as possible and give them some water. It is normal for some of the fruit trees to wilt slightly in transit but they will revive quickly with care. Please water your trees everyday.
Planting Instructions:
In a pot: If you are planting your fruit tree in a pot long term we recommend using a 3-50 litre pot . Use premim potting mix or rich garden soil, place a saucer under the pot and grass clippings or mulch around the tree to help the tree retain moisture. Water every 1-2 days continually.
In the ground: Dig a hole 2 times larger than the size of the pot or bag the tree is currently in. Squeeze the pot to loosen the root system before planting. Water well and add mulch or grass clipping around the tree. Water daily for the first year and then after that the tree should be able to sourse its own water through its root system, but continue to observe the tree and water if necessary.
Wait 1 month after planting before fertilising to avoid burning the roots.
Special care instructions for lychee, avocado and bananas, please see the product description for each tree.
Fertiliser: Fertilise your trees once a year in springtime following the correct instructions on the packet.
Pruning: Pruning your tree ecourages new gowth and a bushier growth habit. At the end of summer we recommend pruning the tips of the tree branches by 2-3cms or you can prune the tree to a desired shape.
If you have any care questions please give us a call and we will be happy to assist you.
Shipping
Shipping
Shipping Costs:
Brisbane and Gold Coast Metro Suburbs: Free Shipping
Other Areas QLD: Shipping costs may apply based on your location and the number of trees purchased. If there are any additional shipping fees you will be contacted after you purchase and given the option of a refund if you desire.
Other Areas: NSW, ACT, VIC and SA. $30 per order or free shipping if you buy 4 or more trees.
Please allow 7-10 business days for your order to be packed and sent.
If you find a tree you would like to purchase we recommend doing so promptly as often our stock sells out shortly after being listed and then wont be available again until our next re-stock.
Our maximum box size is 1.06m. Some trees may need to be trimmed to fit into the packaging, this does not damage the tree, it encourages the tree to grow new branches and become bushier.
You may not be sent the exact tree pictures on the website but it I’ll be very similar in size and height. All of our trees are grown outside in the sun, so they are fully accustomed to Queensland weather conditions. Due to that, the trees may have minor leaf imperfections from the sun, but the overall health of the trees is superb.
Orders are shipped by courier and usually take 1-3 business days if you are in Brisbane or the Gold Coast and other Metro areas or up to 3 weeks for other locations. Plants are packaged carefully with water in the packaging.
Please follow all care instructions for your tree/s as outlined on the website in the product description of each tree. MOST IMPORTANT IS WATERING YOUR TREE EVERYDAY (preferably in the morning).
If there are any issues when your package arrives please contact us via email at info@fruitopianursery.com.au for a promt reply.
Return policy
Return policy
At Fruitopia Nursery we love plants and we want you to love your plants too, so if there are any issues with your purchase, we’re here to help. Please carefully follow all care instructions for your new plants, paying particular attention to their watering requirements.
If you are unhappy with your purchase in anyway please contact us by email and we will do our very best to resolve the situation.
Depending on the problem we will be happy to offer a refund, partial refund or exchange at our sole discretion.
If your goods are damaged on arrival, please take a photo and contact us immediately via email so that we can follow up the matter with the delivery company.
Please do not post plants back without first contacting us via email info@fruitopianursery.com.au
