Arbutus unedo - Strawberry Tree - Evergreen Trees Direct

Arbutus unedo - Strawberry Tree

Name: Arbutus unedo - Strawberry Tree
Brand: Evergreen Trees Direct
Price: 620.00 AUD
Availability: InStock

$620.00

Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

Size: 100L

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

Current Stock Height Guides

40cm/45L: 1m – 1.3m Approx.
100L: 1.8m – 2m Approx.

Trade Customers

We supply advanced trees to landscapers, developers, architects, and councils Australia-wide. Trade clients receive fast quotes, expert advice, and access to premium stock with reliable freight.

About Arbutus unedo - Strawberry Tree

Arbutus unedo – Strawberry Tree is a striking evergreen that reaches 5–10 metres with a broad, rounded canopy and peeling reddish-brown bark. Glossy green leaves provide year-round structure, while white to pale pink bell-shaped flowers appear in autumn alongside edible red fruit resembling strawberries.

Perfect for dry or coastal gardens, Arbutus unedo – Strawberry Tree delivers continuous seasonal interest with minimal maintenance. Its resilience to drought and salt spray makes it ideal as a feature tree, informal hedge, or ornamental highlight in Mediterranean-style landscapes.

Key Information to Know

Evergreen / Deciduous

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

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 5 m – 10 m

Mature Width: 4 m – 8 m

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

Frost Tolerance

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.

Flowering Information

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.

Native Information

Is Arbutus unedo - Strawberry Tree an Australian Native? 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.

Wildlife Value

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.

Sunlight Information

Arbutus unedo - Strawberry Tree will thrive best in:

Full Sun
Part Shade

Preffered 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.

Botanical Information

Common Name: Strawberry Tree

Genus: Arbutus

Botanical Species: unedo

Family: Ericaceae

Botanical Name: Arbutus unedo

Landscape Uses

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.

Planting, Spacing & Care

How to Plant Arbutus unedo

Location Selection: Choose a location with good sunlight and some afternoon shade protection.
Soil Preference: Enjoys well-draining soil; can tolerate a range, including alkaline soils.
Digging: Dig a hole about twice the size of the tree's root ball.
Planting: Situate the tree in the hole, fill with soil, and compact gently.
Initial Watering: Thoroughly water immediately after planting.

Hedging & Screening: 1.5 m – 2 m – Effective as a dense evergreen hedge

Feature Tree: 2 m – 4 m – Display berries and form in open settings

Avenue Planting Trees: 3 m – 4 m – Can be used in tighter avenues or medians

Caring for Arbutus unedo

Watering: Water regularly until established. Once mature, the tree is drought-tolerant but appreciates occasional watering.
Mulching: A layer of mulch around the base helps conserve soil moisture.
Pruning: Light pruning can be done to maintain the desired shape and remove dead branches.

Well-drained Soil: Essential for preventing root rot; amend heavy clay soils with organic matter to improve drainage.
Sandy Soil: Incorporates organic compost to enhance fertility and moisture retention.
Loamy Soil: Ideal for the Strawberry Tree, providing balanced moisture and nutrient availability.
Acidic to Alkaline Soil: Tolerates a wide pH range, making it suitable for diverse garden settings.

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

Medium Growth Rate

Root Ball Dimensions (Width × Depth) For Planting

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)

Ideal Conditions

Subtropical QLD (Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast)
Northern NSW (Byron, Coffs, Armidale)
Sydney & Central Coast
South Coast NSW (Illawarra to Bega)
Inland NSW / Tablelands (Orange, Bathurst, Canberra)
Melbourne & Surrounds (Metro, Bayside, Geelong, Bellarine, Mornington)
Western District & Central VIC (Ballarat, Bendigo, Hamilton)
Gippsland (Latrobe Valley, East Gippsland)
Adelaide Metro & Coastal
Adelaide Hills & Barossa

Thrives in

Full Sun
Part Shade

Frost Tolerance

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

Drought Tolerance

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.

Flowering Information

Does Arbutus unedo - Strawberry Tree flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Autumn

Flower Type:

Bell-shaped

Flower Colour:

Pink

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.

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