Arbutus unedo

Common Names

Strawberry Tree, Killarney Strawberry Tree, Dalmatian Strawberry, Cane Apple, Irish Strawberry Tree, Madroño, Strawberry Madrone, Arbutus

Summary

Strawberry tree is an evergreen shrub or small tree native to the Mediterranean region and western Europe, typically multi‑stemmed with a rounded crown. It features peeling cinnamon‑coloured bark, dark green leathery leaves, urn‑shaped white flowers in fall to winter, and round red fruits that ripen in late autumn to winter and persist through winter; fruits are edible but bland.

It prefers full sun to partial shade on well‑drained soils, tolerates a wide range of soil types, and is drought‑tolerant once established; hardy to USDA zones 7–11. Commonly used as a specimen, hedge, or screen in landscapes, propagation is by seed, layering, or cuttings; edible fruits are used in jams, jellies, marmalades, and brandy production in some regions. Pollinators include bees and birds, and pest and disease pressure is generally low.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

8-35 ft

Spread

8-20 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 7-10

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun, tolerates partial sun and partial shade.

Soil Type

Well-drained soil; tolerates sand, clay, loam, silt, chalk; wide pH tolerance from acidic to alkaline; lime-tolerant

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soil with no standing water around roots.

Soil pH

Tolerates all pH levels

Bloom Color

White to pale pink

Bloom Time

Fall

Foliage Color

Green

Fall Foliage Color

No fall color

Leaf Lifecycle

Evergreen broadleaf

Growth Rate

Slow, 12-24 inches per year

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Layering

Attracts Wildlife

Bees, hummingbirds, butterflies, other pollinators, and birds are attracted.