Weekend Plantings: The Strawberry Tree, Jamaica Cherry and Calabura

Published: Friday, February 1, 2013 at 7:06 a.m.
Last Modified: Friday, February 1, 2013 at 7:06 a.m.

Why would I recommend a tree that's short-lived, brittle in the wind and sensitive to low temperatures? Because it's a pretty, fast-growing, small tree that bears clusters of delicious, half-inch-wide, berry-like fruit much of the year. The tree, native to the West Indies and Tropical America, is known as strawberry tree, Jamaica cherry and calabura. Typically 20 feet tall and wide, strawberry tree (Muntingia calabura) provides an abundance of sweet, juicy, pinkish-red fruit that contain tiny, edible seeds. In Central Florida, fruit is borne from late spring to late autumn.

Strawberry tree saplings grow rapidly on sunny, well-drained, mulched sites, with plants raised from seed reliably fruiting in their second year. Experienced growers recommend pruning lengthy branches to increase fruit production and minimize wind damage. The pretty fruit, excellent eaten fresh, is also popular for making jams and flavoring teas. In addition to red-fruited trees, forms with yellow or white fruit are sometimes seen. Strawberry tree seedlings are available from Logee's by calling 888-330-8038 or visiting www.Logees.com.


Two hardy, native, flowering perennials that bloom most of the year, including mild periods in winter, are blanket flower and Stokes aster. Both tolerate drought, resist pests and grow in full sun, though Stokes aster also performs well in part-day shade. Of the two plants, blanket flower (Gaillardia pulchella) is somewhat tougher because it withstands extreme drought and thrives in poor soil. It also flowers more heavily, producing large numbers of orange-and-yellow blossoms. Although short lived, blanket flower freely reseeds.

Stokes aster (Stokesia laevis), which bears blue, pink, white, purple or yellow flowers, grows best on sites moderately enriched with organic matter. Both of these sturdy perennials attract butterflies and are propagated by division.


From what I've observed during four decades of Florida gardening, the majority of landscape plants that are heavily mulched but not fertilized grow better than plants that are fertilized but not mulched. Of course gardeners can fertilize as well as mulch, but for most plants, simply maintaining a heavy layer of organic mulch — not rocks or recycled rubber — will do the trick. But not all plants should be mulched with organic matter. Desert-dwelling plants such as species of Yucca, Agave and cactus don't require mulching but can, if desired, be surrounded with rock mulches.

Regarding the danger of organic mulch inducing fungal infections when in contact with plant bases, the hazards are limited and vastly overstated. Citrus, for example, can develop fungal diseases if mulch is heaped around their bases. Woody and herbaceous shrubs can be mulched right up to their trunks.


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