Arbutus | Strawberry Trees

About

Choosing & Growing Arbutus Trees Also known as Strawberry Trees, Arbutus are fantastic shrub-like evergreen trees. They provide year-round interest thanks to their glossy evergreen leaves and peeling red-brown bark, however they are particularly lovely in the autumn when their vibrant red fruits and creamy white, bell-shaped flowers emerge simultaneously. They are in fact one of the few ornamental trees to bloom in autumn so are a great way to support pollinators at this time of year when pollen is scarce. Their fruits are edible but not particularly tasty, so we recommend leaving them on the tree for the birds to enjoy. An ideal feature or specimen tree, Arbutus are quite resilient, tolerating most soil types including chalk, but a sheltered spot in full sun is preferred. Arbutus are a particularly good choice for coastal locations, being highly tolerant of exposure, but they can also be planted inland.