Arbutus unedo 'Compacta'
STRAWBERRY TREE
Family: Ericaceae
Pronounced: ar-BU-tus U-nee-doe
Quick Jumps
Growing Guide
Rainy Side Notes
GROWING GUIDE
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.
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 fissures that shreds off, leaving a fibrous texture that twists and gnarls as it ages. Arbutus unedo 'Compacta' is smaller than the species; behaving 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.
Photographed in author's garden.
Gardening for the Homebrewer: Grow and Process Plants for Making Beer, Wine, Gruit, Cider, Perry, and More
By co-authors Debbie Teashon (Rainy Side Gardeners) and Wendy Tweton