Arbutus unedo - Strawberry Tree

Strawberries growing on a tree - impossible? Not only do the strawberry- like fruits of the Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo) look very nicely, changing the colour from bright yellow to orange and finally glaring red, but they are also edible. You can either enjoy them fresh, boil them down to jelly, or make spirits (liqueur, wine) of it- like it is done in Sardinia or Corse. In addition, these evergreen Mediterranean shrubs produce pretty panicles of white, bell-shaped flowers that open up in autumn, but- depending on the wintering- might also do so in spring and even summer. Ripening of the fruits takes many months, so that often flowers and fruits can be seen simultaneously on one plant. At high age, Arbutus can grow to gnarled trees. Due to their winter hardiness these Ericaceae are well-suited for pots and winter gardens as well as for being planted in a semi-shady to sunny place in the garden, well-draining soil provided.

Quality: attractive & edible & strawberry-like fruits; attractive white, bell-shaped flowers; slow growing & evergreen & gnarled habit; very hardy
Use: planted in the garden, in pots from March/ April to November outside on balcony, terrace or garden - during winter in the house; all year round in an unheated mediterranean greenhouse