Wampee (Clausena lansium)

Discover one of Asia’s best-kept fruit secrets! A close relative of citrus, the Wampee is an attractive, highly productive evergreen tree that produces grape-like clusters of tangy, sweet, aromatic fruit.

Thriving in Perth's Mediterranean climate, Wampee trees produce skin-thin berries with a refreshing, citrusy-grape flavor that balances sweet and sour notes. The fruit can be eaten whole (peel and all) fresh off the tree, or used to make delicious juices, jams, and savory glazes.

Beyond its delicious harvest, Wampee makes an outstanding ornamental feature tree for suburban backyards, boasting lush, glossy foliage and highly fragrant spring blossoms.

Key Features

• Perth Climate Friendly: Highly adaptable to Perth’s hot summers and mild winters once established, performing exceptionally well in warm coastal and suburban gardens.
• Unique Citrusy-Grape Flavor: Yields clusters of golden-brown berries with juicy, translucent flesh featuring a unique blend of sweet, tangy, and spice-like notes.
• Lush Ornamental Foliage: Features dense, deep-green foliage year-round and releases a rich, aromatic citrus scent when leaves are crushed.
• Self-Fertile: Highly productive on its own—only one tree is needed to produce generous harvests.
• Versatile Culinary Uses: Excellent eaten fresh, sliced into salads, preserved in jams, or steeped into refreshing summer teas and drinks.

Care & Growing Tips for Perth

• Position: Plant in full sun to partial shade. Choose a spot sheltered from strong, hot summer drying winds to prevent leaf scald.
• Soil: Prefers rich, organic, well-draining soil. In Perth’s sandy soils, enrich heavily with compost, soil improver, and aged manure at planting time.
• Watering: Water regularly during spring and summer while the tree is establishing and actively fruiting. Once mature, it is moderately drought-tolerant, though consistent water yields larger, juicier fruit.
• Frost & Cold Protection: Young saplings are sensitive to severe frost. Protect young plants during their first few Perth winters.
• Pruning: Lightly prune after harvest in late summer or early autumn to keep the canopy manageable, improve airflow, and stimulate new fruiting growth for next season.

Quick Specifications

• Botanical Name: Clausena lansium
• Common Name: Wampee / Wampi
• Growth Habit: Compact to medium evergreen fruit tree
• Mature Size: 3m – 5m (H) x 3m (W) (can be pruned smaller)
• Harvest Season: Mid-to-Late Summer (January – March)
• Pollination: Self-pollinating (Self-fertile)