Arbutus canariensis - Evergreen Trees Direct

Arbutus canariensis

$320.00

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Size: 40cm/45L

40cm/45L 50L 150L

Current Stock Height Guides

40cm/45L: 1.5m – 2m Approx.

Height guide disclaimer: Height ranges are approximate only. As living products, plant heights naturally vary between individual plants, batches, and seasons. No guarantee is given that supplied plants will fall within the stated range. If minimum heights are required, you mustconfirm current batch heights with Evergreen Trees Direct prior to purchase. Variation in height is normal and is not grounds for return, refund, replacement, or compensation.

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 5m to 10m

Mature Width: 3m to 6m

Arbutus canariensis is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year.

Root Ball Dimensions

Use this as a reference when digging your planting hole. We recommend digging at least 10% wider than the dimensions below to encourage strong root development.

30cm Pot: 33cm (W) × 30cm (D)
40cm/45L Pot: 44cm (W) × 41.5cm (D)
50cm Pot / 70L Pot: 55cm (W) × 41.8cm (D)
100L Bag: 50.6cm (W) × 52.8cm (D)
150L Bag: 66cm (W) × 55cm (D)
200L Bag: 71.5cm (W) × 60.5cm (D)
300L Bag: 88cm (W) × 63.8cm (D)
400L Bag: 99cm (W) × 66cm (D)
500L Bag: 122cm (W) × 66cm (D)
750L Bag: 134cm (W) × 69cm (D)
1000L Bag: 146.3cm (W) × 71.5cm (D)
2000L Bag: 176cm (W) × 82.5cm (D)

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Email: sales@evergreentrees.com.au

Phone: (03) 7042 3318

About Your New Arbutus canariensis

Arbutus canariensis, the Canary Madrone or Canary Islands Strawberry Tree, is an evergreen tree with peeling cinnamon to red bark over smooth new wood. Serrated dark green leaves are long and leathery, and clusters of white flowers flushed with pink open in autumn and winter. Round red fruit follows and hangs into the next season.

It reaches 5 to 10 metres tall and 3 to 6 metres wide, growing about 30 to 60 centimetres a year. Give it full sun to part shade and soil that drains freely, since it will not tolerate heavy wet ground. It handles salt-laden wind, light frost and dry summers, which suits Mediterranean and warm temperate districts.

The bark makes it worth using where it can be seen up close, so courtyards, entries and raised beds all work well. It also holds up as a street or civic tree in dry exposed sites. Young plants can be grown in large pots for several years. Space feature specimens 3 to 4 metres apart.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Canary Madrone

What is Arbutus canariensis?

Arbutus canariensis is an evergreen tree from the Canary Islands, in the family Ericaceae, known as the Canary Madrone or Canary Islands Strawberry Tree. It is grown for its peeling cinnamon-red bark, long serrated dark green leaves, pink-tinged white flowers and red strawberry-like fruit. It is a close relative of the more common Arbutus unedo.

How big does Canary Madrone grow?

It reaches 5 to 10 metres tall and 3 to 6 metres wide at maturity, forming a rounded to upright crown. Growth is around 30 to 60 centimetres a year, so it takes time to reach the upper end of that range. In pots or restricted root space it stays considerably smaller.

When does Canary Madrone flower?

Flowering runs through autumn and into winter, roughly March to July, with hanging clusters of white flowers tinged pink. Fruit forms after flowering and ripens slowly to red over the following months, so flowers and fruit often appear on the tree together. Flowering is heaviest on plants in full sun.

Is the fruit edible?

The red, rough-skinned fruit is edible but bland, more of an ornamental feature than a crop. Birds take it readily, which is a fair reason to plant the tree in habitat gardens. Fallen fruit can stain paving and is slippery underfoot, so allow for that when siting the tree near a path or driveway.

Does it need sun or shade?

Full sun gives the densest crown, the best bark colour and the heaviest flowering. It will also grow in part shade, particularly in hot inland gardens where afternoon protection reduces stress. What it will not accept is deep shade combined with wet soil, which leads to thin growth and root problems.

Is Canary Madrone suitable for coastal gardens?

Yes. It tolerates salt spray and coastal wind well and is often used in Mediterranean-style seaside planting. Sandy coastal soils suit its need for sharp drainage. In front line positions the crown may stay lower and denser than it would inland, which is usually an advantage rather than a problem.

How do I care for Canary Madrone?

Water regularly through the first two summers, then it manages on rainfall in most seasons. Feed lightly in spring with a complete fertiliser and mulch to keep the root zone cool. Prune only to lift the crown or remove dead wood, since the natural shape and the exposed bark are the point of the tree.

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

Enriched Planting Mix is a certified organic blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent, bagged in 30L. It is built to be dug through existing garden soil at planting time rather than used on its own, and the gypsum is what sets it apart from a plain compost.

Gypsum helps break up heavy clay so water and roots can move through it, while the compost and manure return organic matter and nutrient to tired ground. The coarse bark holds structure and keeps air around the root zone, and the wetting agent keeps moisture in the soil longer after rain or watering.

Use it when planting trees, shrubs, roses, fruit trees and exotic garden plants, particularly into clay. Dig a hole twice the width of the pot and 7 centimetres deeper, then mix roughly one third planting mix through the excavated soil. Spread 7 centimetres of that improved soil in the base before setting the plant in.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Enriched Planting Mix

What is Enriched Planting Mix made from?

It is a blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent. Each part has a job. The compost and manure supply organic matter and nutrient, the gypsum works on clay structure, the bark keeps air around the roots and the wetting agent holds moisture in the soil.

What plants is it suitable for?

It suits exotic garden plants, including roses, ornamental and deciduous trees, fruit trees, shrubs and perennials, and it earns its keep most on heavy clay sites. It is a planting mix rather than a potting mix, so its job is improving soil at planting time. Phosphorus sensitive natives are the one clear exception.

Is it safe for natives?

No, not for the phosphorus sensitive ones. The composted animal manure in this blend lifts phosphorus well above what Proteaceae such as Banksia, Grevillea, Hakea and Protea will tolerate, and the result can be leaf burn, dieback and plant death. Use the Native Potting Mix for those species, or plant them into unimproved local soil.

Is it certified organic?

Yes. It is a certified organic product with no chemical additives, which is why the manure and compost in it are fully composted rather than raw. That makes it sound around fruit trees and vegetable beds, and it means you are adding genuine organic matter to your soil rather than a synthetic conditioner.

How much do I need?

Work on roughly one third planting mix to two thirds of the soil you dug out of the hole. For a shrub out of a 200 millimetre pot that is only a few litres. An advanced tree going into a large hole will take considerably more. Judge the quantity by the volume of the hole rather than the size of the plant.

Can I use it in pots?

It is not a potting mix and should not be used on its own in a container. The blend is designed to be diluted through garden soil, and used straight in a pot it holds too much water and settles badly. For containers, reach for a premium potting mix, or the native mix if you are potting natives.

Does it need to be watered in?

Yes. Water the plant well several hours before you plant it, then water thoroughly again once the hole is backfilled and the soil firmed down. That first deep watering settles the improved soil around the root ball and drives out air pockets. Keep the water up over the first few months while the roots establish.

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Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

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Uses in my Garden

Feature Tree
Plant in Pots (or) Suitable for Pots
Shrubs

Arbutus canariensis works in an:

Mediterranean Style Garden – timeless courtyard look with stone, pots, and bold greenery.
Woodland Garden – layered, naturalistic design under dappled light.
Modern Garden – sleek, minimal, and design-led planting.
Heritage / Traditional Garden – timeless, classic plantings for period homes.
Low-maintenance Garden – resilient choices for easy care and year-round appeal.

Is Arbutus canariensis Evergreen or Deciduous?

Arbutus canariensis is an Evergreen (foliage year round) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 5m to 10m

Mature Width: 3m to 6m

Arbutus canariensis is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year.

Growth Rate of Arbutus canariensis

Arbutus canariensis is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year.

They are considered to have a:

Medium Growth Rate

Frost Tolerance & Ideal Climate to plant Arbutus canariensis

Is Arbutus canariensis frost tolerant?

Arbutus canariensis is Frost Sensitive – May suffer damage from frost, best in frost-free or protected spots.

Does Arbutus canariensis Flower?

Arbutus canariensis produces clusters of creamy-white, urn-shaped flowers in spring. These delicate bell-like blooms hang beneath the foliage, offering a subtle yet elegant seasonal display and providing a nectar source for bees and other pollinators.

Does Arbutus canariensis flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Autumn
Winter

Flower Type:

Clustered

Flower Colour:

White

Is Arbutus canariensis an Australian Native Tree?

No

Arbutus canariensis is Native to The Canary Islands, where it grows in laurel forests and rocky slopes.

What is the Wildlife Value of Arbutus canariensis ?

Its nectar-rich flowers attract native bees and pollinating insects, while the ornamental berries that follow provide food for fruit-eating birds. The dense evergreen canopy also offers shelter and contributes to a biodiverse, wildlife-friendly garden environment.

How much Sunlight does Arbutus canariensis need?

Arbutus canariensis will thrive best in:

Full Sun

Preferred Soil?

Arbutus canariensis performs best in well-drained sandy or loam soils and tolerates slightly acidic to slightly alkaline conditions. It can struggle in heavy clay or waterlogged areas unless improved with organic matter and coarse material to increase drainage. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, then transition to deep, occasional watering as it matures and develops excellent drought resilience.

Is Arbutus canariensis Drought Tolerant?

Is Arbutus canariensis Drought tolerant?

As a young tree it benefits from regular watering, but once established Arbutus canariensis develops strong drought tolerance. It performs reliably in hot, dry and coastal conditions, maintaining its smooth bark and evergreen canopy with minimal supplementary watering.

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How To Plant Your Arbutus canariensis

Site: Choose a well-drained position in full sun to part shade with room for the canopy to develop.

Soil preparation: Enrich the planting area with quality compost and aged manure for a strong establishment phase.

Hole: Dig twice as wide as the root ball and the same depth.

Planting: Position level with the surrounding soil, backfill gently, firm in, then water deeply to settle the roots.

Recommended Planting Spacing For Your Arbutus canariensis

Feature tree: 3 to 4 metres apart to allow the full canopy and form to develop.

Avenue planting: 3 metres apart for a uniform soft-textured avenue.

Arbutus canariensis is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year.

Medium Growth Rate

Long Term Care For Your Arbutus canariensis

Watering: Water deeply twice weekly through the first 12 months. Once established, this is drought tolerant and only needs a deep soak during extended dry periods.

Mulching: Apply a 5 to 7 centimetre layer of organic mulch over the root zone, keeping it 5 centimetres clear of the trunk.

Pruning: Minimal pruning required. Light tip prune in late winter to maintain shape, and remove lower branches as the tree grows to develop a clean feature trunk.

Fertilising: Apply a slow-release general-purpose fertiliser in early spring and again in autumn for steady growth and consistent foliage colour.

Pest and disease: Hardy against most pests and diseases. Occasional inspection in warm humid conditions is all that's needed.

Planting Your Arbutus canariensis in Different Soil

Arbutus canariensis performs best in free-draining loam or sandy loam with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH. Adaptable to a wide range of soils when drainage is sharp.

Sandy soil: Free-draining and ideal. Mulch lightly to moderate surface temperature.

Clay soil: Improve drainage with gypsum and coarse organic compost before planting.

Loam: The preferred soil for steady root development and consistent growth.

pH: Neutral to slightly alkaline preferred. Avoid waterlogging at all times.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is Canary Madrone best known for?
A. It’s prized for its smooth, colourful bark, creamy-pink flowers, and bright red strawberry-like fruit, offering year-round visual appeal.

Q. How tall and wide does it grow?
A. It typically reaches 5 – 10 m tall and 3 – 6 m wide, with a dense, rounded canopy.

Q. When does it flower and fruit?
A. Flowers bloom in late autumn to early winter; red fruit follows, creating seasonal interest.

Q. Is it suitable for coastal gardens?
A. Yes — it tolerates salt spray and performs well in coastal climates.

Q. What are its water requirements?
A. Moderate — once established, it is drought-tolerant but appreciates regular watering in dry conditions.

Q. Is it high maintenance?
A. No — it requires only occasional pruning to shape or remove dead wood.

Q. What kind of foliage does it have?
A. It features deep green, serrated leaves up to 15 cm long, with red-bronze tones on new growth.