Strawberry Tree | Arbutus unedo
Funky red fruits
Grown by Mike
Roots' Cotswolds Valley Nursery
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Strawberry Tree
Arbutus unedo
- Arbutus unedo, or the strawberry tree, is a small evergreen tree, notable for its bright red fruits (which look a little like a massage ball) and its clusters of pendulous white, urn-shaped flowers.
- Glossy, bay-like leaves and tactile, peeling bark complete this stunning all-rounder, ensuring genuine year-round interest that'll have you smiling month after month.
- Slow-growing in nature, this tree is perfect for smaller to medium-sized gardens where space perhaps comes at more of a premium.
- Featured on the RHS Plants for Pollinators list, the strawberry tree is known for its wildlife appeal, attracting beneficial pollinating insects like bees and butterflies.
- Did you know? The strawberry tree is (unofficially) known as Italy's national tree, corbezzolo, thanks to its green leaves, white flowers and red fruits (redolent of the tri-colour Italian flag).
- Our trees are professionally pruned before dispatching.
- Our mature trees are grown in Air-Pots®, the only type of pot to completely eliminate root circling. A unique design stimulates air pruning for a mass of healthy fibrous roots, which results in a healthy tree that will establish quickly in your garden. With each Air-Pot® made to last up to 20 years, we reuse them on the nursery and wrap your mature tree in hessian for delivery - but if you’d rather keep your tree potted, simply add an Air-Pot® to your basket along with your tree.
What to expect
Supplied as
Height on arrival
Eventual height
Eventual spread
Flower colour
Habit
Will this grow in my garden?
Can I grow this in a pot?
Yes, Strawberry Tree can be grown in a pot initially. Start with a 50cm pot. Depending on its vigour, it may need moving to the ground after a few years. Ensure adequate drainage and water regularly during warm weather above 20°C.
How big does it get?
The Strawberry Tree grows to a height of 5 to 8 metres, with a spread of 4 to 6 metres, although it can be maintained at a smaller size with regular pruning.
How much sunlight does this need?
Strawberry Tree prefers full sun to partial shade, requiring at least 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight daily to thrive.
What kind of soil does this plant prefer?
Strawberry Tree prefers moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soil to thrive. Ensure the soil does not freeze below -5°C for optimal root health, applying a 5cm layer of mulch in winter.
How much watering does this plant need?
Strawberry Tree requires regular watering, especially during its first few years of establishment. Provide approximately 10 to 20 litres of water per week, ensuring the soil remains moist but well-drained. During hot weather above 25°C, increase watering frequency to prevent the roots from drying out.
Will this plant need pruning?
Strawberry Tree requires minimal pruning, ideally in late winter or early spring.
How hardy is this plant?
Arbutus unedo has an RHS hardiness rating of H4, meaning it is hardy down to -10°C in most of the UK, but may suffer foliage damage in harsh winters or inland valleys.
The wider garden
Roots' Cotswolds Valley Nursery
Meet Mike
Tree-growing skills honed right across the globe
Having started out in Australia, studied in Northern Ireland and volunteered at an organic farm in Sweden, it’s fair to say Mike’s done his fair share of travel on his horticultural journey, so far! Having happily laid down roots here at Roots, Mike is the don behind our tree-growing operation, imparting each and every one of his globally-honed skills to benefit your garden. Grown in our purpose-built nursery, in the ideal climatic conditions of the fertile Vale of Evesham, we’re proud to supply only the happiest, healthiest and hardiest trees.
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