About
Arbutus unedo f. rubra is a sprawling, shrubby tree that typically reaches a height of around 8 meters. It features rough, red-brown bark and leathery leaves that are a medium shade of green. In autumn, clusters of dark pink, urn-shaped flowers emerge, coinciding with the ripening of the red, strawberry-like fruits produced by the blooms from the previous year. While these fruits are edible and are often used to create 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
- Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Neutral, Alkaline
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- West-facing, South-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
- Plant type
- Trees, Shrubs
- 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, Cottage and informal garden, Mediterranean climate plants, Wildlife gardens
- Native to
- S Europe, W Ireland
- 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 seed or by semi-ripe cuttings in late summer
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to aphids
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to arbutus leaf spot and honey fungus