The Arbutus unedo ‘Strawberry Tree’, also known as the Dalmatian Strawberry, is a wonderful choice for enhancing smaller spaces. It has wonderful orange-red fruit that look like a strawberry, and delightful bell-shaped white, tinged pink, flowers that form in pendulous clusters.
This attractive evergreen tree also has pleasing red-brown bark, that is rough and shedding giving it an added tactile feature to enjoy. This is coupled with its mid-green Bay-like leaves that look beautiful all year round.
The ‘Strawberry Tree’ really comes into its own in autumn, when its magnificent bark, flowers, foliage and berries are all adorning the tree at the same time. It produces a dazzling display of colours and textures, that make this tree the perfect specimen tree for any garden. In addition to this, the berries are popular with a range of wildlife and will attract birds into your garden.
This versatile tree is a great choice for enhancing a wide range of spaces, from cottage and informal gardens to city and courtyard gardens. It can be tender to frost, so it grows well in milder, coastal areas as well.
To get the most from this tree, find a sheltered position in moist but well-drained soil, that is neutral to acidic. It is a low-maintenance tree that will add a wide range of interest that can be enjoyed all year round.
Tree characteristics
- Height (after 20 years): 8 metres
- Spread (after 20 years): 8 metres
- Flowers in: Autumn
- Sunlight: Full sun
- Hardiness: Hardy, but needs a sheltered position
- Flowers: White, pink
- Foliage: Evergreen
- Features: Pink and white flowers that appear in autumn alongside bright orange-red fruit
- Common names: Strawberry Tree, Dalmatian Strawberry
- Royal Horticultural Society Plants for Pollinators Collection
Additional information
- 3-year-old tree in a 12-litre pot
- Measurements are approximate