Cumquats: the small, sweet tree Canberra needs more of

The parrots arrived this morning. The bower birds will be next, but Rosie wallaby has already helped herself to every ripe cumquat within reach. The birds will have to settle for the fruit that's out of wallaby reach.

Cumquats make excellent hedges, and are ideal for a potted fruit tree. Picture Shutterstock

Rosie understands what most gardeners don't realise: the small round orange berries sold as 'cumquats' or 'Australian cumquats' are usually sour calamondins, not cumquats. If you choose the correct cumquat variety, they are sweet and tangy. You can eat them whole, skin and all. Pop them in your mouth as you pass the tree, or split them into segments to eat daintily. Tell kids they're 'orange lolly bushes' to encourage snacking.