Arbutus unedo

strawberry tree

Outstanding Qualities Arbutus unedo is a four-season evergreen shrub with outstanding flowers, fruit, leaves, and bark on an easy-to-grow plant. The small, urn-shaped, whitish-pink flowers are produced from October to December. Unless winter weather is severe enough to damage flowers, they develop into round, ¾-inch, knobby fruits that gradually ripen to orange-red throughout the year (hence the common name). This is one of the few large shrubs that flowers in early winter, just at the time the fruit is ripening. Strawberry tree also has attractive, cinnamon-colored bark and rounded, glossy, medium-green leaves. This handsome shrub can be used as an informal hedge or sheared for a more formal look. It may also be planted as a focal point, carefully pruned to accentuate the branch structure and beautiful bark.
Culture Arbutus unedo tolerates a wide variety of soil conditions. It grows best in part or full sun and is drought tolerant once established. There are few insect and disease problems, though it can occasionally get aphids and there may be fungal spotting on older leaves if grown in very poor soil. Foliage and flowers may be damaged in extremely cold winters.
Growing Habit Ten-year height is about 8 feet high by 6 to 7 feet wide if left unpruned. Eventually it can reach 15 to 20 feet high and nearly as wide.
Hardiness USDA zones 7 to 9
Plant image
Image © Richie Steffen/Great Plant Picks