Plants by mail order since 1984, over 4100 plants online today!
6th January 2021. In line with the current government lockdown rules, Burncoose Nurseries is closed to visitors. However at present we are able to offer click and collect to local customers. This will be weekdays only, not weekends.
Mail order is continuing as normal. However please allow extra time for the couriers to deliver, once despatched from us. Sorry to say that some depots are experiencing high volumes of traffic, also staff shortages.
ARBUTUS unedo
Commonly known as Killarney strawberry tree.
White flowers, red fruit
Further Reading....
- Details
- Mature Size
- Tips and Advice
- Goes Well With
- Planting Combinations
- Other Suggestions
- See Also...
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Evergreen - oval, shallowly toothed, glossy, mid-green leaves to 10cm (4in) long.
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White
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Height - 8m (26ft)
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Spread - 8m (26ft)
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Tree - spreading, sometimes shrubby tree with rough, shredding, red-brown bark. Small, pitcher-shaped flowers appear in autumn with previous year's ripening fruit
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Hardy - cold winter - Hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters. May not withstand open/exposed sites or central/northern locations. Plant can withstand temperatures down to -15°C (5°F)
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Full sun - sheltered site
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Additional Features - Good to know - - ultimate size in 20-50 years. Fruit is edible but bland and mealy. An inventory in a Wimbledon garden in 1649 includes the Irish arbutis. Wildlife plant - insects.
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Ornamental bark
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Pests & Diseases - aphids, leaf spot.
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Place of origin - southwestern Ireland, southeastern Europe, Turkey, Lebanon,
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Flower Shape - Bell/Lantern -
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Panicles - pendent panicles to 5cm (2in) long
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Garden Location/Conditions - Suitable for small gardens - Suitable for small gardens
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Hardiness - Fully hardy -
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Leaf margin - Serrulate - see photos above
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Leaf shape - Obovate - see photos above
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Pruning group - Pruning group 1
Suitable for: Deciduous and evergreen trees, and some deciduous shrubs.
Pruning: Minimal pruning required. Prune wayward or crossing branches to maintain a healthy framework.
When: When dormant in the late winter/early spring. Some in the summer/autumn to prevent bleeding of sap.
RHS group 1 -
Seasonal Interest - Autumn -
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Spring
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Summer
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Winter
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Soil Conditions - Fertile well drained soil - - humus-rich
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Tree Shape - Rounded to broadly spreading -
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Wildlife - Bee friendly -
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Rabbit Resistant
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Arbutus - Care Guide
Trees - Care Guide
- How to plant a tree - Video Tip ondemand_video
- How to plant a tree
- Checking ties - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Restaking fallen young trees - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Fallen old tree - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Spring pruning - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Removing side shoots - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Deer protection - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Weed Spraying - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Removing Ivy - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Tree Survey - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Crown uplift - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Removing shoots below graft - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Removing peeling bark - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Maintaining variegation - Video Tip ondemand_video
8m (26ft)
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8m (26ft) |
Buy Varieties of ARBUTUS unedo

ARBUTUS unedo 'Compacta' >
Commonly known as: Killarney strawberry tree.
Smaller growing form with a dense habit


ARBUTUS unedo 'Rubra' >
Commonly known as: Killarney strawberry tree.
Hardy evergreen shrub with deep pink flowers.
Useful extras...

Fertilisers & Feeds - Vitax
Q4 Pelleted Fertiliser
A useful fertiliser suitable for use on a wide variety of plants. Q4 provides all the nutrients and trace elements essential for vigorous growth, abundant flowering and ripening of fruit.
3 options from £6.00

Fertilisers & Feeds - Empathy
Rootgrow mycorrhizal fungi
Recommended by the RHS. Contains Rootgrow™ mycorrhizal fungi. Suitable for all trees and shrubs (except rhododendrons, azaleas, heathers, cranberries and blueberries)
2 options from £6.00

Fertilisers & Feeds - Empathy
Ericaceous Liquid Seaweed Fertiliser
Specially developed organic concentrated seaweed feed for ericaceous plants that is a ready to use, derived from sustainable harvested kelp, that can be used on all outdoor and indoor plants,
Perfect used in conjunction with Rootgrow™ Ericoid.
Only £7.50