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    • Photo of Arbutus unedo fruit by ElisabetS

    Photo by ElisabetS

    This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 license.

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    Arbutus unedo

    Also Known As

    • Cane Apples
    • Stawberry Madrone
    • Strawberry Tree

    Plant type

    tree, shrub

    size

    • H: 25'-30'
    • W: 20'-30'

    planting zones

    • 7a-11

    More Options

    Arbutus unedo plant details

    Arbutus unedo is a broadleaf evergreen shrub or tree with green foliage. In fall and winter cream and pink flowers emerge followed by orange and red fruit. Features glossy texture. Attracts bees, birds and butterflies making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - mostly sun and occasional - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Prefers to be dry in summer. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in acidic, average, clay, gritty, lean and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something pollution tolerant and seaside / salt tolerant.

    CHARACTERISTICS OF Arbutus unedo

    Plant type: shrub or tree
    Plant family: ericaceae
    Foliage: evergreen green
    Mature size: 20 FT - 30 FT - wide, 25 FT - 30 FT - tall
    Flowers: cream and pink blooms in fall and winter
    Uses: distinctive bark, long-blooming, peeling bark, serrated leaves

    GROWING CONDITIONS for Arbutus unedo

    USDA Zones: 7a - 11
    Sun exposure: sun - mostly sun
    Watering frequency: occasional - low
    Resistant to: pollution and seaside / salt
    Soil needs: acidic, average, clay, gritty, lean and well-drained

    Nursery contributed plant descriptions

    Everybody asks for a plant that looks good all year, Strawberry Trees really do! A large shrub/tree 15-20' with glossy evergreen leaves tinted amber and masses of white flowers in fall which are followed by showy, edible, strawberry-like fruits. Native to Western Europe, it was planted by Thomas Jefferson in his Monticello gardens. Honeybees love the flowers, but as they impart a bitter flavor to honey beekeepers may wish to avoid this plant. S/M-D/GDr

    By: Forestfarm

    The Strawberry Tree has the most interesting and decorative fruit of any plant we grow, displaying bright orange round berries through the summer that ripen to bright red in the fall and winter. The fruit are about an inch in diameter and are easily picked, they are quite popular for making jams but can also be eaten fresh. They are an excellent winter food source for hungry birds.

    Strawberry Trees are native throughout the Mediterranean and are closely related to our own Pacific Madrone, but are much easier to grow in cultivation. They prefer dry sites in full sun, just water them through the summer for the first year or two while their roots get established. Pruning is very rarely needed but can be done in winter or mid-summer.

    By: Red Panda Nursery

    Aptly named for its bright red fruits, it is best cultivated as a large shrub. Prune it occasionally to expose its exfoliating bark and to keep the bell-shaped flowers and fruits at eye level. Grows well in full sun and moderately dry soil, but appreciates a drink in the worst of summer's heat. Few significant diseases or pests. A wonderful addition to the low maintenance border.

    By: Heritage Seedlings

    An evergreen shrub/tree growing to 30' with dark green 6" leaves and red stems. Small, urn-shaped white flowers appear in fall and winter. Red-orange edible fruits resembling strawberries appear in the fall but are common most of the year in California. Prefers full sun but tolerant of light shade. Drought tolerant but much stronger with moderate summer water. Hardy to 0F. Southern Europe, Ireland.

    By: Native Sons

    A large shrub with shiny green leaves all year, the Strawberry Tree has rough scaly red-brown bark. The late summer pancles of white/pink flowers change to nickel-sized red orbs in the late fall. zone 7

    By: Whitman Farms

    A large shrub, 12-15' in height. Delicate, greenish-ivory, urn shaped blooms appear in October, at the same time the fruit of the previous year are ripening into bright red, strawberry-like berries. Leaves are dark green and serrated, 2-4" long and half as wide. This beautiful, well-behaved plant takes well to pruning or looks grand left to grow in its own artistic manner.

    By: Greer Gardens Inc.

    Large shrub to small tree, to 15' in 15 years and 30' eventually, with small pearly pink flowers in mid to late winter, followed by bright orange and red fruits -- food for birds and jam fruit for the enterprising cook. Full sun to dappled shade with good drainage and little summer water once established. Cold hardy in USDA zone 8.

    By: Cistus Nursery

    Gardening facts about Arbutus unedo plant

    How to Grow Arbutus unedo

    • Sun Exposure

      • sun - mostly sun

    • Water Needs

      • occasional - drought tolerant

    • Water Needs

      • dry in summer

    • Soil Needs

      • clay
      • acidic
      • adaptable
      • average
      • lean
      • well-drained
      • gritty

    • Special Situation

      • pollution tolerant
      • seaside / salt tolerant

    Features

    • Foliage Color

      • green

    • Flower Color

      • cream
      • pink

    • Wildlife

      • birds
      • bees
      • butterflies

    • Fruit

      • red
      • orange

    • Flower Season

      • fall
      • winter

    • Foliage Season

      • evergreen

    • Texture

      • glossy

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