Are Strawberry Trees Messy?

Flowers and Fruit

• The tree blooms during fall with small white or pink, blueberrylike, urn-shaped flowers in the form of 2-inch-long panicles. The flowering continues well into winter and is followed by the 3/4-inch-diameter, warty textured, showy fruit. The fruit and flowers are often present on the tree at the same time. The fruit takes up to a year to mature fully.

Fruit Properties

• The fruit of the strawberry tree is used both in its raw or cooked form. However, the falling ripe fruit is very messy. It is therefore better to plant the tree away from concrete paving, patios and deck. The fruit taste is pleasant, like a tropical fruit. The 20 percent sugar content makes it a good choice for making preserves and jams. It is best to grow the tree in a grassy area where the ripe fruit will be cushioned as it falls.

Fruit Production

• The strawberry tree is a self-fertile tree and does not require another tree for effective pollination. The flowers are hermaphrodite with the female and male parts found on the same flower. The flowers are primarily pollinated by bees and produce a heavy fruit set. Only the cultivar Elfin King produces fruit very sparingly and is hence more suited for use around hard ground surfaces and pavements.

Growth Requirements

• Plant the tree in a variety of soil types including clay and pH levels ranging between acidic and alkaline. But growth is best in a fertile, acidic, well-drained soil. Select an area of full sun for healthy flower and fruit growth. The strawberry tree is not adapted to regions that have very cold weather. The tree adapts well to urban gardens with its tolerance for atmospheric pollution.