Carissa is one of Florida's and California's very best seaside shrubs. This moderately fast-growing, evergreen shrub has lustrous, leathery, rich green, oval leaves and spines along its branches. It is hard to find a plant with darker green leaves. Flowers are somewhat fragrant, white, and star-shaped.
Care
Carissa shrubs need only moderate water and fertilizer. They will appreciate a light feeding with a general-purpose fertilizer in spring. Too much fertilizer results in poor flowering. Water deeply during prolonged dry spells.