About
Arbutus unedo f. rubra Roselily ('Minlily' PBR) is a sizable, bushy evergreen shrub that grows at a slow pace. It features reddish-brown bark that sheds in strips and displays glossy, dark green foliage. In autumn, it produces pendulous clusters of small, urn-shaped flowers in shades of pink and white, coinciding with the appearance of round fruits that are either red or yellow, remnants from the previous year’s blooms. While the fruit can be eaten and is utilized for making jams and liqueurs in some 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
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
- Plant type
- Shrubs
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 2.5-4 metres
- Spread
- 2.5-4 metres
- Time to full height
- 20-50 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
- Propagation
- Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to aphids
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to arbutus leaf spot and honey fungus