The humble strawberry bush resides in the background through much of the year, rarely turning heads despite its intriguing name. But for those who pause to appreciate its subtleties, a closer look reveals an understated beauty
A Shrub That Blends In
Strawberry bush (Euonymus americanus) is a deciduous shrub native to eastern North America. It thrives as an understory plant, growing 4-6 feet tall beneath the forest canopy. With its modest height and sparse form, the strawberry bush easily blends into its surroundings.
Its slender, green branches hold elliptical, finely toothed leaves between 1-3 inches long. The leaves emerge light green in spring then mature to a deeper green or yellow-green hue as summer approaches. Nothing about the foliage stands out.
Meanwhile, the shrub’s small springtime flowers could easily be overlooked. Clusters of tiny yellow-green blooms appear from May to June, attracting minimal attention
So for much of the year, the bush keeps a low profile. Its subdued features allow it to fade comfortably into the background.
A Subtle Fall Transformation
As summer makes way for autumn, the humble strawberry bush quietly begins to transform. Its understated beauty finally takes center stage.
In fall, the leaves transition to a radiant reddish-purple, lighting up the plant. Meanwhile, the branches become adorned with bumpy, pinkish capsules. These “false fruit” contain orange-red seeds and ripen from September through October.
When mature, the capsules split open into 5 sections to reveal the seeds within. This gives the capsules a starburst shape, as if tiny hearts are bursting forth.
The eye-catching fruits coupled with the fall foliage display give the once- ordinary strawberry bush an electrifying makeover. Its subtle elegance captures attention against the autumn backdrop.
A Deceiving Name
Despite bearing “strawberry” in its common name, Euonymus americanus is not related to strawberries. Its common name comes from the fruit’s resemblance to strawberries or raspberries.
The capsules offer no tasty treat inside. In fact, the seeds can cause vomiting if ingested, especially in large quantities.
So while the name suggests an edible berry, the strawberry bush’s fruits are strictly for visual appeal. The misleading name reflects the shrub’s talent for deception.
Wildlife Value
Although inedible for humans, many animals relish the strawberry bush’s offerings. Songbirds and gamebirds like turkey feast on the nutritious seeds. Deer, rabbits, and other mammals browse the leaves and twigs.
The modest flowers also provide nectar for native bees and other pollinators. And birds use the shrub’s thicket-like form for shelter and nesting sites.
Growing Tips
For gardens, the strawberry bush makes an excellent native specimen. It thrives in part sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. Avoid full sun exposure.
Once established, strawberry bushes require little care. They tolerate drought but perform best with moderate water. Apply light fertilizer in early spring. Prune only to shape or remove dead wood.
Propagate new plants from seed, cuttings, or division. Seeds need cold stratification for 3-4 months before sowing.
Subtle Appeal
The understated strawberry bush certainly won’t be the flashiest plant in your landscape. But for the patient observer, its graceful transition from wallflower to beauty queen reveals a special magic.
In spring and summer, take time to appreciate its barely-there blooms and demure foliage. Then in fall, let its radiant colors take your breath away.
The strawberry bush exemplifies that sometimes the most fascinating plants are those that quietly wait for their chance to shine.
Strawberry Plant Growing Time Lapse – Seed To Fruit (95 Days)
FAQ
How big does a strawberry bush grow?
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Height
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6′ – 12′
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Soil pH
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6.1 – 7.3
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Light Requirements
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Partial shade, can tolerate full shade
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Pollination
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Self-fertile
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Suggested Pollinators
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Increase pollination and fruit production by planting multiple
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What is a strawberry bush good for?
Is a strawberry bush a shrub?
What does a strawberry plant look like?
The stems of a strawberry plant are green and fleshy. They grow from the crown of the plant and support the leaves and flowers. The stems also produce runners, which are long, thin stems that grow out from the main stem and produce new plants. The leaves of a strawberry plant are green and oval-shaped. They are arranged alternately on the stems.
What is a strawberry bush?
Strawberry bush euonymus is a deciduous plant with a thicket-like habit of around 6 feet (2 m.) tall by 3 to 4 feet (1 m.) wide. Found in forested or woodland areas as an understory plant and often in swampy areas, strawberry bush has inconspicuous cream-hued blooms with 4 inch (10 cm.) serrated leaves on green stems.
How do you know if a strawberry plant is a weed?
The surefire way to identify a strawberry plant is by the presence of red fruits. Strawberry plants will produce actual strawberries, while weeds will not. In summary, if something does not have three-lobed leaves, white flowers with yellow centers, and actual strawberries, it is not a strawberry plant.
What do strawberries look like when they ripen?
Once the strawberry plant reaches maturity, it will begin to produce flowers. The flowers will be white or pink and have five petals. The flowers are pollinated by insects, and they produce small, red fruits. The fruits of the strawberry plant are small, red berries. They are produced on the ends of the stems.