Arbutus unedo Rubra - Strawberry Tree
Arbutus unedo Rubra - Strawberry Tree
Arbutus unedo Rubra - Strawberry Tree
Arbutus unedo Rubra - Strawberry Tree
Arbutus unedo Rubra - Strawberry Tree
Arbutus unedo Rubra - Strawberry Tree
Arbutus unedo Rubra - Strawberry Tree
Arbutus unedo Rubra - Strawberry Tree
Arbutus unedo Rubra
Pink Strawberry tree, Madrone
Magnificent evergreen shrub. A lovely discovery for me. Elegant. Melliferous for bees.
Myrtille , 10/03/2026
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Description
Arbutus unedo 'Rubra' is recognisable by its reddish wood and its flowering of bright red-pink. It is of moderate growth and is well suited to small gardens. It produces a long autumn and winter flowering with beautiful vivacity. Its clusters of small bells bloom abundantly, accompanied by round, yellow then red and granular fruits like strawberries. The combination beautifully colours the evergreen foliage. The strawberry tree is undemanding, relatively hardy, and is an excellent source of nectar for bees during the off-season. This Mediterranean plant suits an evergreen hedge, a shrub bed, or even in a large container on a terrace.
The strawberry tree slowly but surely forms a large compact bush. The 'Rubra' variety, a more compact and colourful version than the type, has been awarded the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. Like its native ancestor from southern Europe, it belongs to the large Ericaceae family, which includes heathers and rhododendrons. In fact, it is one of the few members of this family, along with the Mediterranean heather Erica multiflora and its cousin from the Alps E. carnea, that can tolerate limestone soils. This slow growing variety reaches about 2.5 m (8. ft) in height and 2 m (6.7 ft) in width, and up to 3 m (9.8 ft) in open ground. The evergreen, elliptical leaves, 6 cm to 9 cm (2.4 cm to 3.5 in) long, are slightly toothed on the edges, dark green, and shiny on top. The young branches are red and the trunk is adorned with a reddish-brown bark. The pendulous flower clusters are honey-bearing and nectar-bearing, and are a deep pink colour. They measure 7 mm (0.3 in) in diameter and resemble lily-of-the-valley bells. They appear from late summer to winter. One year after flowering, they give way to small yellow, then red, strawberry-like balls, 3 cm (1.2 in) in diameter. The fruits are edible, but have a rough texture and little flavour. 'Unedo' actually comes from the Latin unum edo, which can be translated as "I eat only one."
Arbutus unedo 'Rubra', hardy down to - 15° C (5° F), grows in well-drained soil, generally rather acidic, siliceous, or even rocky. This bush easily acclimates to the garden, in ordinary soil (even slightly calcareous), provided that drainage is perfect. The 'Rubra' variety is valuable for forming the persistent structure of a small free hedge and makes an unusual subject when placed in isolation. Resistant to most pests and diseases, its only weakness is its relative hardiness, which reserves it, in open ground, for light soils and not too harsh winters.
Arbutus unedo Rubra - Strawberry Tree in pictures
Plant habit
Flowering
Foliage
Botanical data
Arbutus
unedo
Rubra
Ericaceae
Pink Strawberry tree, Madrone
Cultivar or hybrid
Planting and care
Plant in spring or autumn, in well-drained soil, preferably slightly acidic, although it can adapt to any light soil, without excessive active limestone. It appreciates a sunny position in a cool climate, but can tolerate partial shade or even light shade in a warm climate. Choose a location sheltered from cold winds. At planting, pruning is necessary for shaping, then let the bush grow freely. In the first years, protect it from heavy frosts with mulch and winter cover. Make sure to choose its location carefully as it does not like to be transplanted. For hedges, space the plants about 1 m apart (3.3 ft). It may be susceptible to aphid attacks and foliar spot disease.
Planting period
Intended location
Care
Planting & care advice
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Hardiness is the lowest winter temperature a plant can endure without suffering serious damage or even dying. However, hardiness is affected by location (a sheltered area, such as a patio), protection (winter cover) and soil type (hardiness is improved by well-drained soil).
In temperate climates, pruning of spring-flowering shrubs (forsythia, spireas, etc.) should be done just after flowering.
Pruning of summer-flowering shrubs (Indian Lilac, Perovskia, etc.) can be done in winter or spring.
In cold regions as well as with frost-sensitive plants, avoid pruning too early when severe frosts may still occur.
The harvesting period indicated on our website applies to countries and regions in USDA zone 8 (France, England, Ireland, the Netherlands).
In colder areas (Scandinavia, Poland, Austria...) fruit and vegetable harvests are likely to be delayed by 3-4 weeks.
In warmer areas (Italy, Spain, Greece, etc.), harvesting will probably take place earlier, depending on weather conditions.
The sowing periods indicated on our website apply to countries and regions within USDA Zone 8 (France, UK, Ireland, Netherlands).
In colder areas (Scandinavia, Poland, Austria...), delay any outdoor sowing by 3-4 weeks, or sow under glass.
In warmer climes (Italy, Spain, Greece, etc.), bring outdoor sowing forward by a few weeks.
The planting period indicated on our website applies to regions in USDA Zone 9a (East Coast and Midlands: Dublin, Wexford, Waterford, Kilkenny, Portlaoise). It will vary depending on where you live:
- On the west coast and in the north-west (Galway, Limerick, Sligo, Donegal, Westport), delay planting by 1 to 2 weeks in spring and bring it forward by 1 to 2 weeks in autumn compared to the dates given, preferably choosing periods without strong winds.
- In the inland hills and plateaus (Wicklow Mountains, Macgillycuddy’s Reeks, Connemara, Killarney), it is best to plant in spring (April–May) or autumn (September–October), avoiding periods of waterlogged soil in winter and strong winds, which pose the main risk to newly planted trees in these areas.
The flowering period indicated on our website applies to regions in USDA Zone 9a, such as the East Coast and Midlands, including Dublin, Wexford, Waterford, Kilkenny and Portlaoise.
This will vary depending on where you live:
- On the west coast and in the northwest (Galway, Limerick, Sligo, Donegal and Westport), it will be delayed by one to two weeks compared to the given dates, due to stronger Atlantic winds and less spring sunshine.
- In the inland hills and plateaus (the Wicklow Mountains, the Macgillycuddy's Reeks, Connemara and Killarney), flowering will be delayed by two to three weeks. Flowering mainly occurs between May and July, with the limiting factors being less frost and more of the excessive humidity, strong winds and lack of sunshine that are characteristic of these areas.
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