Description
- The yellow and red seed pods of the Strawberry Tree might remind you of strawberries, they are edible but not tasty. They arrive on the tree in December and are attractive. But they are fairly messy when they drop, so don't plant them over paving. If they drop into mulch, they dry up fast and are attractive to seed eating birds such as the Dark Eyed Junco.
- The white flowers provide nectar for hummingbirds during the winter when there isn't much else blooming.
- Strawberry Trees develop picturesque trunks and wide-spreading branches with evergreen leaves. They look attractive with other Mediterranean native plants such as Lavender, Rosemary, and Rockrose.
- The Strawberry Tree requires only low water after it is established, but will also grow well with medium water.
- Strawberry Trees will naturally grow as large shrubs, but with simple pruning it can be shaped into a multi-trunk tree. They can also be grown as single trunk trees, this requires a little more pruning to develop this form. After the tree is the shape you like, little pruning is required.
- For a larger tree, see the Marina Strawberry Tree. It has pink flowers and smooth, reddish bark.
Size
Height: 15 to 20 feet
Spread: 15 to 20 feet
Growth Rate: faster
Irrigation needed: low or medium water
Fall Color: none, evergreen
Flowers: large, red, bottle brush shaped flowers
Seeds/Fruit: small (1/4) bead-like capsules attached to branches
Planting Distances
Front of green utility box: 8 feet
Building or swimming pool: 4 feet
Fence, underground utilities: 3 feet
Paving: 2 feet
OK to plant under high voltage lines
Shrub form Strawberry Tree can be useful for privacy screening