~Mickey Mouse~ Plant
Ochna serrulata
Family: Ochnaceae
native to South Africa
Description : The ‘Mickey Mouse’ plant is a beautiful shrub that every gardener should know about. Mickey Mouse plant
(Ochna serrulata) is named not for the leaves or blooms, but for the black berries that resemble the face of Mickey Mouse
Once established it can grow to be 4-8 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide and features narrow, glossy green leaves.
When in bloom, the shrub puts on a display of showy yellow flowers which then give way to bright red sepals and mature black berries which making Ochna serrulata a perfect candidate for an ornamental specimen.
Fruit and sepals collectively resemble the black ears and red trousers of ‘Mickey Mouse’.
Cold-hardy but best grown in frost-free areas (USDA zones 9-11) in full-sun to partial-shade with medium moisture, well draining soil.
Prune after fruiting to encourage new growth and to keep the plant shapely. A great attractant for both birds and bees.
