Arbutus Andrachnoides or Hybrid Strawberry Tree

Arbutus Andrachnoides (Hybrid Strawberry Tree) is an RHS AGM-winning evergreen strawberry tree with dark green foliage and cinnamon-red bark. It’s excellent in sheltered spots with neutral to acidic soil.

Also known as Red Barked Strawberry Tree, this is a naturally occurring hybrid cross between the Grecian species Arbutus Andrachne and the native Irish Unedo, otherwise known as the Killarney Strawberry tree.

This evergreen tree is smaller than Unedo with the same-sized pinky-red strawberry-like fruits. The Hybrid Strawberry Tree produces autumn to wintertime masses of small pink-white blossoms, which ripen into fruit the following autumn. This strawberry tree cross has stringy cinnamon-red bark and a rounded crown of handsome dark green foliage all year.

If you’re looking for an unusual, small evergreen tree to create vertical interest, graceful Arbutus Andrachnoides is an attention-grabbing choice.

Height and Spread of Arbutus Andrachnoides
Fast-growing Hybrid Strawberry Tree matures faster than both its parent plants. It reaches five metres in 5-10 years.

How Hardy is Arbutus Andrachnoides
This is a hardy evergreen in freezing temperatures, but it struggles to cope with a very exposed spot where harsh, drying winds damage its foliage. In exposed areas, unedo is a better choice.

How To Use for Arbutus Andrachnoides
Red Barked Strawberry Tree is a great choice for compact gardens because it only reaches five metres tall. It’s grand enough to grab attention, but slim enough that it doesn’t take over the space. Its year-round dark green foliage and wintertime white flowers bring colour to drab winter gardens.
Sunny, urban courtyards through to country cottage gardens benefit from its vertical height and colour, plus birds and insects find shelter in its evergreen foliage. Late-waking bees drink its wintertime nectar and birds enjoy the fruits.
Despite its name, the strawberry-like fruits are not as tasty as strawberries.

How to Care for Arbutus Andrachnoides
Red Barked Strawberry Tree enjoys full sun to partial shade. Choose a sunny, sheltered spot in well-drained neutral-to-acidic soil and it should thrive with little attention. Young trees benefit from a south wall that creates shelter and traps warmth.
Prune it in late winter or early spring before new growth appears. Remove dead, damaged, or crossed branches and tidy up the shape by cutting branches just above a healthy bud. Do not heavily prune it, because that reduces flowering.
Water thoroughly until established and during drought spells. A thick layer of well-rotted organic matter around the roots retains moisture, suppresses weeds, and provides nutrients for a dazzling display of white blossom.