Arbutus unedo - Strawberry Tree - Evergreen Trees Direct

Arbutus unedo - Strawberry Tree

$160.00

Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

Size: 30cm/33cm

30cm/33cm 40cm/45L 50cm/75L 100L

Current Stock Height Guides

40cm/45L: 1m – 1.3m Approx.
100L: 1.8m – 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: 4m to 8m

Arbutus unedo - Strawberry Tree 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 unedo - Strawberry Tree

Arbutus unedo, the Strawberry Tree, is a broad evergreen tree or large shrub with a rounded, spreading crown and shredding reddish-brown bark. Glossy dark green leaves hold their colour all year. In autumn it carries drooping clusters of white to pale pink bell-shaped flowers alongside the red, rough-skinned fruit from the previous season.

Mature size is 5 to 10 metres tall and 4 to 8 metres wide, with growth of 30 to 60 centimetres a year. It takes full sun to part shade and tolerates a wide range of soils, including limy ones, provided drainage is reasonable. It is genuinely frost hardy and copes with drought, salt wind and coastal sand once established.

Use it as a feature tree, a clipped or informal hedge at 1 to 1.5 metres apart, or a screen in dry and coastal gardens. It responds well to pruning, so it can be raised into a multi-stemmed small tree to show the bark. Year round foliage and autumn flower and fruit together make it a hard-working evergreen.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Strawberry Tree

What is Arbutus unedo?

Arbutus unedo is an evergreen tree or large shrub from the Mediterranean and western Ireland, in the family Ericaceae. It is called the Strawberry Tree for its round red fruit, which looks like a strawberry but is unrelated. Peeling reddish bark, glossy leaves and autumn bell-shaped flowers are its main ornamental features.

How big does the Strawberry Tree grow?

It reaches 5 to 10 metres tall and 4 to 8 metres wide at maturity, forming a broad rounded canopy. Growth is around 30 to 60 centimetres a year. It is easily held at 2 to 3 metres as a hedge or clipped shrub, and old specimens develop the twisted multi-stemmed trunks the species is known for.

Is the Strawberry Tree evergreen or deciduous?

It is fully evergreen and keeps its glossy dark green leaves through winter, which is why it is used for screening where year round cover matters. Individual leaves are shed gradually rather than all at once. The bark peels through the warmer months, revealing smoother reddish wood underneath.

Can Strawberry Tree be grown as a hedge?

Yes. Plant 1 to 1.5 metres apart for a dense informal screen, or 80 centimetres apart for a tighter clipped hedge. It takes pruning well and reshoots readily from old wood, so it can be brought back if it gets away. Regular clipping does reduce flowering and fruiting, which is the trade-off.

Is it frost tolerant?

It is one of the hardier broadleaf evergreens and handles regular frost once established, including the conditions found in the Adelaide Hills, central Victoria and the Southern Tablelands. Young plants benefit from shelter in their first winter. Cold combined with waterlogged soil is far more damaging than cold on its own.

Are the strawberry fruits edible?

The fruit is edible but mild and grainy, and it is best used for jams, jellies or liqueur rather than eaten fresh. Its botanical name translates roughly as I eat one, which gives a fair idea of the flavour. Birds are far more enthusiastic about it, and it is a useful late season food source.

How do I prune and care for the Strawberry Tree?

Prune in late winter, removing dead wood and thinning the crown, or lift the lower branches to expose the trunks. Water through the first two summers, then only in long dry spells. Feed lightly in spring with a complete fertiliser and mulch the root zone. Rake up fallen fruit near paving to avoid staining.

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.

View full details

Type: Garden Supplies

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
Driveway Border

Arbutus unedo - Strawberry Tree works in an:

Mediterranean Style Garden – timeless courtyard look with stone, pots, and bold greenery.
Cottage Garden – romantic mix of flowers, colour, and texture.
Heritage / Traditional Garden – timeless, classic plantings for period homes.
Modern Garden – sleek, minimal, and design-led planting.

Is Arbutus unedo - Strawberry Tree Evergreen or Deciduous?

Arbutus unedo - Strawberry Tree is an Evergreen (foliage year round) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 5m to 10m

Mature Width: 4m to 8m

Arbutus unedo - Strawberry Tree is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year.

Growth Rate of Arbutus unedo - Strawberry Tree

Arbutus unedo - Strawberry Tree 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 unedo - Strawberry Tree

Is Arbutus unedo - Strawberry Tree frost tolerant?

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

Does Arbutus unedo - Strawberry Tree Flower?

Arbutus unedo produces clusters of creamy-white, urn-shaped flowers through autumn and early winter. These elegant bell-like blooms hang beneath the foliage and are followed by rounded red fruit, creating a unique overlapping display of flowers and berries.

Does Arbutus unedo - Strawberry Tree flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Autumn

Flower Type:

Bell-shaped

Flower Colour:

Pink

Is Arbutus unedo - Strawberry Tree an Australian Native Tree?

No

Arbutus unedo - Strawberry Tree is Native to The Mediterranean region and western Europe, from Ireland to Portugal, where it grows in coastal scrub, rocky hillsides, and open woodlands.

What is the Wildlife Value of Arbutus unedo - Strawberry Tree ?

Its nectar-rich flowers attract native bees and pollinating insects, while the colourful fruit provides food for fruit-eating birds. The dense evergreen foliage also creates excellent shelter and habitat, contributing to a biodiverse and wildlife-friendly garden.

How much Sunlight does Arbutus unedo - Strawberry Tree need?

Arbutus unedo - Strawberry Tree will thrive best in:

Full Sun
Part Shade

Preferred Soil?

Arbutus unedo performs best in well-drained sandy or loam soils and tolerates slightly acidic to slightly alkaline conditions. It may struggle in heavy clay or poorly drained positions unless improved with organic matter and coarse material to enhance drainage. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, then transition to deep, occasional watering as the tree matures and develops strong drought resilience.

Is Arbutus unedo - Strawberry Tree Drought Tolerant?

Is Arbutus unedo - Strawberry Tree Drought tolerant?

As a young tree it benefits from regular watering, but once established Arbutus unedo develops strong drought tolerance. It thrives in dry, coastal and Mediterranean-style conditions and maintains its evergreen canopy with minimal supplementary watering.

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How To Plant Your Arbutus unedo - Strawberry Tree

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 unedo - Strawberry Tree

Hedging and screening: 1 to 1.5 metres apart for a dense informal screen, or 80 centimetres apart for a tighter formal hedge.

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 unedo - Strawberry Tree is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year.

Medium Growth Rate

Long Term Care For Your Arbutus unedo - Strawberry Tree

Watering: Water deeply twice weekly through the first 12 months. Once established, reduce to once weekly in dry periods. Mulch helps maintain consistent moisture.

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

Pruning: Tip prune in late winter and again in summer to build dense growth. For a formal hedge, light shaping two to three times a year keeps lines crisp.

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 unedo - Strawberry Tree in Different Soil

Arbutus unedo performs best in well-drained loam or sandy loam with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Adaptable to a wide range of soils when drainage is improved with organic matter.

Sandy soil: Free-draining and ideal. Mulch well to maintain consistent moisture.

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

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

pH: Slightly acidic to neutral preferred. Mulch with composted leaf litter to maintain levels naturally.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is the Strawberry Tree best known for?
A. Its bell-shaped white to pink flowers, followed by vibrant red edible fruit, and attractive reddish bark.

Q. How tall and wide does it grow?
A. Typically reaches 5 – 10 m tall and 4 – 8 m wide with a rounded, spreading habit.

Q. When does it flower and fruit?
A. It flowers in autumn, and the fruit ripens soon after, remaining ornamental into winter.

Q. Is it drought hardy?
A. Yes — once established, it is drought-tolerant and copes well with sea spray.

Q. What kind of maintenance does it need?
A. Very low — only occasional pruning is needed to maintain shape or remove dead branches.

Q. Can it be used as a hedge?
A. Yes — it’s suitable for hedging or screening in informal gardens or native plantings.

Q. Is the fruit edible?
A. Yes — the red fruit is edible, though often enjoyed more for its ornamental value.