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| Strawberry
Tree |
| Arbutus unedo |
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 Arbutus |
 unedo |
| Common
Names: Strawberry Tree, Irish Strawberry
Tree |
| Growth
Rate: Slow |
| Flowering
period:
September to November |
| Height:
8m |
| Spread:
7m |
| Origin:
Mediterranean region. Although known as Irish
Strawberry Tree it is not native there. |
| Position:
Full sun to semi shade |
| Hardiness:
Fully Hardy. The plant is hardy in most parts of
Britain and has withstood temperatures down to at
least -16°c, although young trees are tender and
may need winter protection. |
| Dislikes:
Cold winds, root disturbance. |
| Soil:
Well drained neutral to alkaline soil. |
| Other
cultivars: 'Arbutus
unedo Atlantic' |
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Description:
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Spreading, shrubby tree
with shredding brown bark and glossy bright green
leaves. It is attractive in autumn when the white
flowers, often tinged pink, are produced and the fruit
from last year are turning red. The tree gets it's name
from these fruit, which look like strawberries but sadly
don't taste like them. An excellent tree for coastal
gardens or in a sheltered spot inland.
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| Care:
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| Requires
minimal pruning. Remove any broken, diseased or crossing
branches in late autumn or winter. When planting
incorporate lots of well-rotted garden compost in the
planting and stake well. |
| It
is best planted in a sheltered position due to its late
flowering habit. When grown as a tree rather than a
multi-stemmed shrub, it is important to select one stem
that becomes the main trunk, keeping any other basal
sprouts pruned off. It prefers well-drained soil and
only moderate amounts of water. |
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