While dwarf strawberry tree is a tough shrub in southern California gardens, we would not necessarily recommend it more most plantings. There are a number of lovely evergreen California native shrubs which will require less water in most gardens and provide greater additional benefit for songbirds and butterflies.
Top choices to consider instead of dwarf strawberry tree include its native relatives Dr Hurd manzanita and Sunset manzanita as well as coffeeberry and hollyleaf cherry.
The Dwarf strawberry tree grows into a large shrub, slowly reaching 8-12 ft. tall and as wide. It has dense, evergreen foliage comprised of leathery dark green leaves with toothed margins, 2-3 in. long. Clusters of white to pink urn-shaped flowers are attractive in late fall and early winter.
