Arbutus unedo
Strawberry tree
Common names: Common strawberry tree, Sea cherry
Photo: Didier Descouens · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source
This description was machine-translated.
Description
The Strawberry tree (*Arbutus unedo*) is an evergreen shrub or small tree native to the Mediterranean region. It is notable for flowering and fruiting simultaneously: in autumn, white bell‑shaped flowers appear on the same branches as bright red, strawberry‑shaped fruits. The fruits are edible, mildly sweet to slightly mealy, and can be used for jams or liqueurs. The plant prefers mild, sheltered sites and tolerates frost only poorly, so in the DACH region it is usually grown on south‑facing walls or in containers. Its leathery evergreen leaves and peeling reddish‑brown bark make it an attractive ornamental plant even outside fruiting season.
Care instructions
Plant the Strawberry tree in a sunny, wind‑protected spot, ideally against a south‑facing wall or in a container that can be moved indoors during winter. The soil should be well‑draining and slightly acidic to neutral, not lime‑rich; the plant does not tolerate waterlogged roots but prefers moderate dryness. Water young plants regularly, then reduce watering once established. Pruning is generally unnecessary; remove only dead or overcrowded shoots, preferably in spring after the last frost. In a pot, a light mulch layer is beneficial, and early spring can be a good time to repot into fresh, low‑nutrient soil.
Soil & site
Soil pH
Soil type
well-drained, sandy, dry, lime-avoiding
Feeding
Light feeder
Pruning
Notes from real gardens
What other gardeners have written down about this variety — anonymous, voluntary.
No notes shared yet. Will you be the first to write one down?