About
Arbutus unedo 'Atlantic' is a versatile evergreen shrub or small tree, typically reaching heights of around 8 meters. It features a distinctive rough, red-brown bark. This cultivar begins to flower and bear fruit early in its life, producing cascading clusters of urn-shaped white flowers, occasionally with a hint of pink, during the autumn months. At this time, the previous year’s fruit transitions to a red hue. While the berries are edible and utilized in making jams and liqueurs in various regions, in the UK, this plant is primarily cultivated for its ornamental value.
About the genus
Arbutus consists of evergreen trees and shrubs that produce small, bell-shaped flowers in shades of creamy-white or pink. In the autumn, they bear red, strawberry-like fruits.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Loam, Sand, Chalk
- Soil pH
- Acid, Neutral, Alkaline
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
- Plant type
- Shrubs, Trees
- Habit
- Bushy, Spreading branched
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 4-8 metres
- Spread
- 4-8 metres
- Time to full height
- 10-20 years
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Mediterranean climate plants, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens, Gravel garden
- Toxicity
- Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets: Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in fertile, humus-rich, well drained soil in full sun with shelter from cold drying winds. Young plants may need winter frost protection
- Pruning
- Pruning group 1 but keep pruning to a minimum
- Propagation
- Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings in summer
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to aphids
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to arbutus leaf spot and honey fungus