Bowker's Wild Medlar Plant Care

Bowker's Wild Medlar (Vangueria bowkeri) belongs to the Rubiaceae family within the Vangueria genus. Bowker's Wild Medlar is native to South Africa and Eswatini.

Bowker's Wild Medlar displays a small to medium-sized tree growth habit, reaching up to 15 ft tall with a spread of approximately 10 ft. Bowker's Wild Medlar produces small, fragrant white flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Bowker's Wild Medlar every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Bowker's Wild Medlar thrives in partial shade to full sun.

Vangueria bowkeri tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F. Bowker's Wild Medlar prefers humidity levels of 50–80%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Well-draining, slightly acidic soil with added organic matter like compost or peat moss. Good drainage is essential for Bowker's Wild Medlar to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Bowker's Wild Medlar every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with partial shade to full sun and well-draining, slightly acidic soil with added organic matter like compost or peat moss. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Bowker's Wild Medlar is suited to USDA Zone 13a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Bowker's Wild Medlar can spread to about 10 ft (3 m) and reach about 15 ft (5 m) tall. Space plants about 10 ft (3 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

Prune Bowker's Wild Medlar while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

Bowker's Wild Medlar is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Bowker's Wild Medlar can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to wild medlar plant care, which shares the same genus.

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Bowker's Wild Medlar is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, mealybugs. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Bowker's Wild Medlar grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Bowker's Wild Medlar is native to South Africa and Eswatini. In cooler regions, grow Bowker's Wild Medlar as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.