Arbutus unedo
strawberry tree
A spreading, evergreen, shrubby tree, with rough shredding red-brown bark and mid-green leathery leaves. Flowers are urn-shaped and white, sometimes pink tinged, appearing in panicles to 5cm long as the strawberry-like red fruits, from the previous years flowers, ripen
Size
Ultimate height
4–8 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
4–8 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Neutral, AlkalineColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | |||
| Autumn | White Pink | Green | Red | |
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Ericaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy
- Genus
Arbutus are evergreen trees and shrubs with small, bell-shaped creamy-white or pink flowers, and red, strawberry-like fruits in autumn
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- S Europe, SW Ireland, Asia Minor
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in humus-rich, well-drained soil in full sun and sheltered from cold winds.
Propagation
Propagate by seed and by semi-ripe cuttings in late summer
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Coastal
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Mediterranean climate plants
- Low Maintenance
Pruning
Pruning group 1 but keep pruning to a minimum
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids
Diseases
Arbutus leaf spot may be a problem
Get involved
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