Arbutus

Family. Ericaceae.

Where does grow? Mediterranean.

Description. Arbutus is a very attractive ornamental shrub or small tree with white or pink flowers and a variety of fleshy, red or orange edible berries. The fruits of the arbutus ripen over many months, so the plant can simultaneously contain berries of varying degrees of ripeness and flowers. The branches are vertical, covered with smooth red bark, which peels off at the end of summer and exposes the lower layer. The leaves are dark green, ovate, 10 - 12 cm long. The berries are edible, with the aroma of kiwi and strawberry.

Height.  Up to 2 m.

Caring at home

Reproduction

Growing a strawberry tree from seeds takes quite a long time - this process takes several years, so most often they use propagation by stem cuttings.

Growing conditions - temperature

Can be kept all year at normal room temperature. Tolerates short-term frosts down to -6° C. 

House maintenance

Growing a arbutus indoors is not particularly difficult. The plant tolerates a wide range of soil and temperature conditions and is quite unpretentious. Will appreciate being in the fresh air during the warm season. 

When blooms 

It can bloom at any time of the year, but the largest number of flowers appears in spring and summer. 

Lighting

Well-lit location, without direct sunlight. Tolerates partial shade. 

Soil

Grows in fairly poor soil with good drainage, pH acidic and neutral.

Fertilizer

All year round, 2 times a month. In winter, if the plant is kept cool, fertilizing can be stopped. 

Spraying

Spray the arbutus periodically with water at room temperature in the morning. 

Watering arbutus

Water abundantly in spring and summer, until the earthen clod is completely soaked. In autumn and winter, the frequency of watering can be reduced. Mature plants tolerate drought well. 

Transplant

In the spring, trees are replanted every 2–3 years or the top layer of soil is simply replaced with fresh soil.

Pests and diseases

Rotting due to waterlogging and stagnation of water can lead to the death of the plant. Sometimes red spider mites may appear.

Note

The arbutus is the symbol of Madrid. 

Varieties:

Arbutus unedo

    A profusely branched evergreen shrub with glossy, dark green leaves and smooth, slightly flaky brown bark. The flowers are white and cover the plant abundantly during the flowering period. The fruits are round, bright, edible. 

Arbutus menziesii

        A small evergreen tree with red-brown bark. In its natural habitat it can easily reach an age of 250 - 400 years. The leaves are oblong-oval, dark green. The central vein on the leaves is highlighted in a lighter shade. The white flowers of this species are collected in large apical inflorescences - branched racemes. It begins to bear fruit at the age of 3 - 4 years.