Muntingia calabura

 

Cotton Candy Fruit, Strawberry Tree

Very prolific tree with strawberry-like flowers and small red fruits making for a great ornamental & hedge shrub or tree. Growth is slow but pests & disease are minimal


USDA Hardiness Zones: 9b-11
Chill Hours: -
Deciduous/Evergreen: Evergreen
Plant Type: Perennial
Pollinator: -
Blooming Season: February-April
Ripening Season: Late Summer
Years to Bear Fruit/Edible Qualities: Produces a bounty of fruit 1 year after flowering
Full Size: 15-20' high
Cold Tolerance: Not cold hardy as it is tender, protect tree under 40 degrees. We have reports of being grown in containers with great success.
Light Requirements: Full Sun for more fruits
Drought Tolerance/Watering: Drought Tolerant once established but ensure watering during flowering & fruiting. For initial planting water every day to every other day and then gradually begin water 2-3 times per week after initial planting
Soil & Site Requirements: Well drained soil of any kind seems to work with this tree.
Links: http://www.eattheweeds.com/the-strawberry-tree-curse-2/ http://hort.ufl.edu/database/documents/pdf/tree_fact_sheets/arbunea.pdf
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