Gunnera magellanica

RHS Plant Profile
devil's strawberry

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devil's strawberry RHS

Other common names

baby gunnera, dwarf rhubarb

Alpine Rockery Herbaceous Perennial
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A mat-forming perennial with cupped, kidney-shaped, dark green leaves about 7cm across on 10cm stalks. In summer, short flower spikes appear bearing tight clusters of small, greenish flowers followed by orange-red berries

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam
Moisture
Poorly–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Partial shade
Aspect
West–facing or North–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H4

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Gunneraceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Matforming
Genus
Gunnera may be evergreen or herbaceous rhizomatous perennials, and range from small creeping plants to very large with huge leaves. The flowers are small, borne in narrow panicles or spikes and may be followed by small berry-like fruits
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
South America

How to Grow

Cultivation

Needs humus-rich, permanently moist soil in partial shade. Grow in a sheltered spot in mild areas, or in containers that can be taken in over winter

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Patio and container plants
  • Rock garden
  • Ground cover

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and snails

Diseases

Generally disease-free