Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo)

Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo)

The Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo) is an attractive spreading shrub or small tree native to Ireland. The flowers are white and bell-shaped (Lily-of the valley like) which open in autumn. Rather unusually, Strawberry trees carry their red strawberry-like fruits at the same time (which are very popular with thrushes in particular). The name, Arbutus unedo, gives away the tast of the fruit (unedo means "eat only one") - they taste awful.  It has leaves that are sometimes tinged with red and look a little like those of edible bay although they have a more serrated edge. The bark of the Strawberry tree is one of its many attractions - tobacco coloured and peeling as the plant ages - its branches also gnarl attractively on older plants.  Arbutus grows quite rapidly to about 3 metres and then just about stops. There is a Strawberry tree in the garden at St Hugh's College, Oxford that is 3 metres tall and was planted in the 1940's. We have planted out one or two at Ashridge Trees that are 5 years old and 2metres+.

Arbutus unedo grows well in full sun or partial shade but hates dry soils and cold winds.  It makes an attractive specimen but is also an unusual but very effective hedging plant making a rounded, thick hedge.