Arbutus unedo 'Compacta'
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STRAWBERRY TREE
Family: Ericaceae
Pronounced: ar-BU-tus U-nee-doe
GROWING GUIDE
Geographic Origin:
Garden.
Plant Group:
Shrubs.
Hardiness:
Sunset zones: 4-24.
USDA zones: 7-9.
Mature size:
Height: 5 feet (1.5 m) in 10 years.
Width: 5 feet (1.5 m).
Flowering period:
Autumn.
Flowering attributes:
Small, white urn-shaped flowers are followed by ¾ inch, orange-red, strawberry-like fruit.
Fruit:
Red, bumpy one-inch fruits. Edible, but tasteless.
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Leaf attributes: Evergreen, oval, glossy leaves.
Growth habit: Compact evergreen shrub.
Light: Sun or partial shade.
Soil: Fertile, humus rich soil.
Propagation Methods: Sow seed as soon as ripe and place in a cold frame. | Cuttings in late summer.
Pruning Methods: Minimal pruning to remove crossed limbs or to open up crown.
Pests and Disease: No serious problems.
Rainy Side Notes
The bark is brown with many fissure and shreds off, leaving a fibrous texture and twists and gnarls as it ages. Arbutus unedo ‘Compacta’ stays smaller than the species; it is more like a large shrub, with more contortions in its branching structure. It is a remarkable sight when the shrub is in both fruit and flower. Overall, this evergreen shrub is a workhorse in the garden for all seasons.
Debra Teachout-Teashon
Photographed in author's garden.
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