About
Arbutus unedo Mercurius ('Bocarm') is a slow-growing, evergreen shrub that forms a rounded, spreading shape. Its narrow leaves maintain a mid-green hue, displaying a copper-red flush and serrated edges when they are young. Initially, the stems and branches exhibit a reddish-orange color, transitioning to a deep reddish-brown as they mature. The shrub produces urn-shaped flowers, predominantly white with occasional pink tinges, that cluster in panicles up to 5 cm long. These flowers give way to strawberry-like red fruits from the previous year's blooms. While the fruits are edible and can be made into jams and liqueurs in certain regions, in the UK, this plant is primarily cultivated for its ornamental appeal.
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, Alkaline, 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
- 1-1.5 metres
- Spread
- 1-1.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 5-10 years
- Suggested uses
- Architectural, City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal 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 are more frost tender than mature plants so may need winter protection
- Pruning
- Pruning group 1 but keep pruning to a minimum
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed and 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