Strawberry Tree
Arbutus unedo
Also listed as Arbutus cassinifolia, Arbutus crispa
Also known as Killarney Strawberry Tree, Irish Strawberry-tree
Climate Match for your location
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A Mediterranean native with attractive peeling bark, small white bell-shaped flowers, and distinctive red strawberry-like fruits that ripen in fall. It is drought-tolerant once established and ideal for warm climates.
Why grow it
Arbutus unedo offers several advantages over other Mediterranean ornamentals: it produces flowers and fruit simultaneously in fall (a relatively uncommon trait), providing extended visual interest beyond peak bloom season. Unlike many drought-tolerant shrubs, it tolerates partial shade and a wider range of soil pH values. Its dense, fine-textured canopy and peeling bark make it useful as both a specimen plant and in mixed borders where year-round structure matters.
Watch out for
Young plants benefit from consistent moisture during establishment and may take several years to achieve the drought tolerance of mature specimens. In areas with high humidity or poor air circulation, fungal leaf spotting can occur, requiring attention to spacing and pruning for adequate airflow. The fruit, while edible, tends toward mealy texture and mild flavor compared to other fruit-bearing ornamentals, so it should not be relied upon as a food crop.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Ericaceae
Native Range
Mediterranean
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Canopy
The tallest trees that form the overstory.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
A Mediterranean native with attractive peeling bark, small white bell-shaped flowers, and distinctive red strawberry-like fruits that ripen in fall. It is drought-tolerant once established and ideal for warm climates.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Strawberry Tree grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Arbutus unedo offers several advantages over other Mediterranean ornamentals: it produces flowers and fruit simultaneously in fall (a relatively uncommon trait), providing extended visual interest beyond peak bloom season. Unlike many drought-tolerant shrubs, it tolerates partial shade and a wider range of soil pH values. Its dense, fine-textured canopy and peeling bark make it useful as both a specimen plant and in mixed borders where year-round structure matters.
Watch out for
Young plants benefit from consistent moisture during establishment and may take several years to achieve the drought tolerance of mature specimens. In areas with high humidity or poor air circulation, fungal leaf spotting can occur, requiring attention to spacing and pruning for adequate airflow. The fruit, while edible, tends toward mealy texture and mild flavor compared to other fruit-bearing ornamentals, so it should not be relied upon as a food crop.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Ericaceae
Native Range
Mediterranean
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Canopy
The tallest trees that form the overstory.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
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