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Arbutus unedo (Pink strawberry tree)

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Species
A. unedo f. rubra are among the hardiest and most versatile of the genus Arbutus. This slow-growing bush is evergreen with rough bark and dark green leathery leaves. Rosy-pink pitcher-shaped flowers appear in autumn in panicles as the red, strawberry-like fruits, from the previous years flowers also ripen.
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Season of interest

Flower

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Flower

Foliage

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Foliage
Height and spread

Height and spread

Size Max height Max spread To maturity
8 m 8 m 20-50 years
26 ft 26 ft 20-50 years

Where to grow

Soil type
  • Clay
  • Loamy
  • Sandy
Soil drainage
  • Moist but well-drained
  • Well-drained
Soil pH
  • Acid
  • Neutral
Sunlight
  • Full Sun
Aspect
    Exposure

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      Additional plant details

      Cultivation

      Plant in well-drained soil. Young plants are frost tender.

      Suggested uses

      Containers/Patio, Coastal, Low Maintenance, Resistant to pollution, Wind-breaker

      UK hardiness

      H5

      USDA zones

      Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9, Zone 10

      Sunset zone

      4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

      WUCOLS

      North-Central Coastal = Low
      Central Valley = Low
      South Coastal = Low
      South Inland = Low
      High and Intermediate Desert = Moderate/Medium
      Low Desert = Moderate/Medium

      Foliage

      Evergreen

      Habit

      Bushy, Spreading, Twisted branches

      Native to

      Southeastern Europe, Turkey, Lebanon

      Drought tolerant

      No

      Flood tolerant

      No

      Toxicity

      Not toxic

      Plant care

      Pruning

      Propagation methods

      Seed, Semi-hardwood cuttings

      Pests

      Aphids

      Diseases

      Leaf spot

      Selective pruning only (only if needed)

      Take semi-hardwood cuttings in late-summer

      Protect for the first few years during winter with bracken or straw

      Plant container grown plants in a sunny sheltered spot

      Plant in fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soils

      Plant container grown plants in moderately fertile, well-drained soil

      Other plants

      Plants in this Genus (14)

      Arbutus

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      0 selected Add to a plant list
      0 selected
      Arbutus unedo 'Atlantic'
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      Arbutus unedo 'Atlantic' Strawberry tree 'Atlantic'
      Arbutus menziesii
      View
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      Arbutus menziesii Madrona tree
      Arbutus unedo f. rubra
      View
      Select
      Arbutus unedo f. rubra Strawberry tree 'Rubra'
      Arbutus x andrachnoides
      View
      Select
      Arbutus x andrachnoides Cyprus strawberry tree
      Arbutus x reyorum 'Marina'
      View
      Select
      Arbutus x reyorum 'Marina' Strawberry tree 'Marina'
      Arbutus unedo 'Compacta'
      View
      Select
      Arbutus unedo 'Compacta' Strawberry bush 'Compacta'
      Arbutus glandulosa
      View
      Select
      Arbutus glandulosa Mexican strawberry tree
      Arbutus unedo
      View
      Select
      Arbutus unedo Pink strawberry tree
      Arbutus andrachne
      View
      Select
      Arbutus andrachne Grecian strawberry tree
      Arbutus unedo 'Roselily'
      View
      Select
      Arbutus unedo 'Roselily' Strawberry tree 'Roselily'
      Arbutus unedo 'Elfin King'
      View
      Select
      Arbutus unedo 'Elfin King' Strawberry tree 'Elfin King'
      Arbutus unedo 'Mercurius'
      View
      Select
      Arbutus unedo 'Mercurius' Strawberry tree 'Mercurius'
      Arbutus x thuretiana
      View
      Select
      Arbutus x thuretiana Hybrid strawberry tree
      Arbutus unedo 'Red Grange'
      View
      Select
      Arbutus unedo 'Red Grange' Strawberry tree 'Red Grange'
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      Companion plants (1)

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      0 selected Add to a plant list
      0 selected
      Narcissus 'Irene Copeland'
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      Narcissus 'Irene Copeland' Daffodil 'Irene Copeland'
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      Related content

      Discuss Arbutus unedo with other Shoot members

      Re: Arbutus unedo

      ELAINE HUTSON
      700 0
      could water be the problem, they can thrive on neglect.
      Posted: Tuesday 15th of July 2014 08:44 PM

      Arbutus unedo

      Shoot User
      700 1
      I have a Strawberry Tree in a massive trug in my front garden which has been thriving until lately. I have noticed a lot of leaf yellowing, spotting and now the leaves seem to be dropping. Help!
      Posted: Tuesday 15th of July 2014 06:47 PM Last reply: Friday 28th of February 2025 06:01 PM

      Re: Re: Pink Strawberry Tree

      Shoot User
      895 0
      Hello Kathy

      Thanks for your reply,

      The tree was planted in Dec 2007, up until a few weeks ago it appeared to be in good health. Like everyone, we've had plenty of rain this year and apart from getting the tree established we don't water it. It's in clay soil. Do you think there is anything to be done that might revive the tree?

      Thanks
      Lynn
      Posted: Tuesday 14th of August 2012 02:04 PM

      Re: Pink Strawberry Tree

      Kathy N
      895 1
      Hi, Lynn,
      One possibility is too standing water/too much water. Check the drainage around the tree - Arbutus does not like poor drainage. This leads to root and crown rot. How long has the tree been planted? Check where the trunk meets the soil level. If planted to deep, the crown roots are susceptible to fungus attack. Fungus attack can 'sneak' up on a tree, slowly causing damage which then, over time, can cause the tree to fail quickly.
      Kathy C
      Posted: Monday 13th of August 2012 10:31 PM

      Pink Strawberry Tree

      Shoot User
      895 1
      My tree has suffered from an infestation or disease; from the attached photo's can anyone suggest how I might treat the tree. Unfortunately the infestation / disease appears to be advanced.
      Posted: Sunday 12th of August 2012 12:17 PM Last reply: Friday 28th of February 2025 05:20 PM

      Arbutus grown from seed

      Brian Murphy
      928 0
      Hi, I picked some fruit from an Arbutus Unedo near me and sowed the seeds in a poly tunnel. I am currently hardening them off, they are in 1 litre pots and i would greatly appreciate any advice on potting these on, or giving these the best chance of thriving.
      This is the first time i have attempted growing anything from seed and i love this tree
      Thanks in advance!
      Posted: Monday 16th of May 2011 06:54 PM Last reply: Friday 28th of February 2025 04:52 PM
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