Strawberry Bush

Year-round

Strawberry bush is a low-care shrub that likes part shade and well-drained soil.

• It is listed for deep shade up to full sun, so part shade is an easy choice in San Antonio.
• It grows 4 to 6 feet tall and wide and sends up suckers.
• Deer browsing is the main problem to plan for.

Fall

Fall is when the red-orange seeds show as capsules split open.

• This happens in September and October.
• Fall is a good planting time in San Antonio.
• Protect young shrubs from deer with a cage.

Winter

Winter needs little from you.

• Prune lightly to remove dead or crossing stems.
• Divide suckers now if you want more plants.
• Keep new plants from drying out in dry spells.

Spring

Spring brings small yellow-green flowers in May and June.

• The flowers are not showy, so do not expect much display.
• Water new plants regularly as the weather warms.
• Mulch to hold moisture.

Summer

Summer in San Antonio is the stress test, so give new plants some shade and water.

• Established plants tolerate some drought.
• Water new plants deeply during dry stretches.
• Check leaves and stems for scale insects.

Afternoon shade keeps the foliage looking fresh in a front-yard bed.

Year-round

Strawberry bush is an easygoing deciduous shrub that reaches about 4 to 6 feet tall and wide. It handles sun or shade and a wide range of soils, including clay.

• Give it 2 to 6 hours of direct sun, though it can handle anything from full sun to deep shade.
• Water new plants regularly until established. After that it tolerates both dry spells and wet soil to a degree.
• Deer often browse the leaves and twigs, so fence or protect young plants if deer visit.
• Scale insects can show up now and then. Otherwise it has few problems.

Left to grow naturally with a little tidying, it reads as an intentional, calm woodland-style shrub.

Fall

Fall is the show. Warty capsules split open in September and October to reveal red-orange seeds, and the leaves turn red before dropping.

• Fall is also a good window to plant, so roots settle in before winter.
• Water new plantings until the ground freezes.
• Rake fallen leaves lightly or leave them as mulch.
• Protect the twigs from deer if browsing has been a problem.

The red fall color and bright seed capsules look deliberate and tidy from the street.

Winter

In winter the shrub is bare and needs very little. It is listed as hardy in USDA zones 6a to 9b.

• No watering is needed while the ground is frozen.
• Add a little mulch around young plants to buffer freezes and thaws.
• Winter is a fine time to remove dead or crossing stems.
• Deer may nibble bare twigs, so wrap young plants if needed.

Spring

Spring is a good window to plant or move strawberry bush while the soil is cool and damp. Small greenish flowers open in May and June.

• Plant in spring and water deeply once a week if rain is short.
• Spread a thin layer of mulch, kept a few inches off the stems.
• The flowers are not showy, so do not worry if you barely notice them.
• Check new growth for deer browsing.

Summer

Summer in Harrisburg is hot and humid. Established plants cope with some dry weather, but young plants need steady water.

• Water young plants deeply when there has been no rain for a week.
• Established shrubs can usually go longer between waterings.
• Look under leaves for scale insects and treat only if you find them.
• Light shade helps in the hottest afternoons but is not required.