To celebrate Arbor Day, the Fortuna Garden Club recently planted a strawberry tree next to the Fortuna River Lodge and Conference Center. It is planted in the Heather Garden, behind a block wall and adjacent to the parking lot.
The Fortuna Garden Club said the tree was selected by Don and Sheri Jewett and will hopefully be the first of many new drought-tolerant, low-maintenance plants added to the garden at the River Lodge.
The strawberry tree is a drought-tolerant native tree that has white flowers and strawberry-like red fruit. The fruit ripens in fall and winter and can be eaten fresh, but is often used in jams, jellies and beverages. The flowers are a nectar source for bees, and the fruit is also enjoyed by birds.
The strawberry tree can grow to between 15 and 25 feet tall and becomes drought-tolerant as it matures.
The tree and Heather Garden can be viewed at the River Lodge and Conference Center at 1800 Riverwalk Drive in Fortuna.
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