Arbutus

The genus Arbutus includes about 20 species of small evergreen trees and shrubs with large leathery leaves and small flowers in apical panicles. The fruit is a multi-seeded berry-shaped drupe, resembling a strawberry fruit. The bark is usually rough and scaly, reddish, and in some species very decorative. The most common ornamental species is the large - fruited strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo), which, along with other plants (for example, stone oak and olive tree), forms the so - called maquis-Mediterranean thickets. It will grow to a height of 5-6 m in the form of a shrub or tree with a winding trunk with rough striped bark, which peels off reddish plates. It has dark green glossy elliptically pointed leaves with a serrated edge and white or pink flowers that bloom in October and February simultaneously with the ripening of edible fruits. Fruits first green, then yellow, and finally red-orange. They are often used in the production of marmalade, jam and wine. Small-fruited strawberry, or red strawberry tree (A. andrachne), is an ornamental shrub or tree with smooth red-brown bark, can reach a height of 9 m. It has leathery ovate-oblong leaves; flowers are white, bloom in spring; fruits are red-orange, rough. Strawberry hybrid tree (A. x hybrids) is a natural hybrid of small-fruited strawberry tree and large-fruited strawberry tree up to 3 m high. It is characterized by red-brown bark and ovate dark green slightly leathery leaves with a serrated edge. The flowers are white, blooming in March-April. Fruits are red, rarely formed. The plant is frost-resistant, but does not tolerate prolonged frosts.

The genus Arbutus includes about 20 species of small evergreen trees and shrubs with large leathery leaves and small flowers in apical panicles. The fruit is a multi-seeded berry-shaped drupe, resembling a strawberry fruit. The bark is usually rough and scaly, reddish, and in some species very decorative.

The most common ornamental species is the large - fruited strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo), which, along with other plants (for example, stone oak and olive tree), forms the so - called maquis-Mediterranean thickets. It will grow to a height of 5-6 m in the form of a shrub or tree with a winding trunk with rough striped bark, which peels off reddish plates. It has dark green glossy elliptically pointed leaves with a serrated edge and white or pink flowers that bloom in October and February simultaneously with the ripening of edible fruits. Fruits first green, then yellow, and finally red-orange. They are often used in the production of marmalade, jam and wine.

Small-fruited strawberry, or red strawberry tree (A. andrachne), is an ornamental shrub or tree with smooth red-brown bark, can reach a height of 9 m. It has leathery ovate-oblong leaves; flowers are white, bloom in spring; fruits are red-orange, rough.

Strawberry hybrid tree (A. x hybrids) is a natural hybrid of small-fruited strawberry tree and large-fruited strawberry tree up to 3 m high. It is characterized by red-brown bark and ovate dark green slightly leathery leaves with a serrated edge. The flowers are white, blooming in March-April. Fruits are red, rarely formed. The plant is frost-resistant, but does not tolerate prolonged frosts.

Cultivation

Strawberry tree is used in gardens as an ornamental plant. At an early stage, it can be grown in a pot, but after 3-4 years it must be planted in the open ground. Plants are usually planted permanently in October (in mild climates) or in March-April. They prefer slightly acidic (pH 5.5) soil enriched with organic fertilizers (5-7 kg/m2), although some species (large-fruited strawberry tree, hybrid strawberry tree) are also suitable for calcareous soils. Once every 15-20 days, a complete mineral fertilizer is added to the water for irrigation in the amount of 15 g per bucket. Pruning is not required, only too thick, damaged or unsightly branches are removed, or the plants are pruned so that the decorative bark is better visible.

Strawberry tree is used in gardens as an ornamental plant. At an early stage, it can be grown in a pot, but after 3-4 years it must be planted in the open ground. Plants are usually planted permanently in October (in mild climates) or in March-April. They prefer slightly acidic (pH 5.5) soil enriched with organic fertilizers (5-7 kg/m2), although some species (large-fruited strawberry tree, hybrid strawberry tree) are also suitable for calcareous soils. Once every 15-20 days, a complete mineral fertilizer is added to the water for irrigation in the amount of 15 g per bucket. Pruning is not required, only too thick, damaged or unsightly branches are removed, or the plants are pruned so that the decorative bark is better visible.

Location

They need a sunny place, but protected from cold winds.

Temperature

Many species, such as small-fruited strawberries, are stable in the adult state, but young plants can be damaged by frost, and they should be planted in a place protected from the cold, where the temperature does not fall below 4 °C. It is recommended to mulch the ground at the base of plants with straw, leaves and other materials.

Watering

It is necessary only for young plants immediately after planting in the ground. Adult plants are extremely drought-tolerant.

Transplant

Transplant in the spring, if the roots have outgrown the volume of the container, using the same soil that was recommended for cultivation.

Reproduction

In March, fully ripened seeds are sown in a mixture of peat (2/3) and sand (1/3) in a closed, unheated room. Grown seedlings are transplanted one at a time, always in the same soil. They are kept indoors, transferred several times, when required, to a new pot, for 1-2 years, after which they are finally planted in the ground. Another method is cuttings. Semi-woody cuttings 10 cm long are taken in July and planted in a substrate of peat and sand (1:1) at a temperature of 16-18 °C. After the formation of roots on the cuttings, they are planted one at a time, treating them like seedlings.

In March, fully ripened seeds are sown in a mixture of peat (2/3) and sand (1/3) in a closed, unheated room. Grown seedlings are transplanted one at a time, always in the same soil. They are kept indoors, transferred several times, when required, to a new pot, for 1-2 years, after which they are finally planted in the ground. Another method is cuttings. Semi-woody cuttings 10 cm long are taken in July and planted in a substrate of peat and sand (1:1) at a temperature of 16-18 °C. After the formation of roots on the cuttings, they are planted one at a time, treating them like seedlings.

Diseases

In waterlogged conditions, the strawberry tree is affected by fungi belonging to the genus Septoria, which cause the appearance of chestnut spots on the leaves. If the damage is minor, it is recommended to remove the affected leaves, if extensive-treat with fungicides. In waterlogged soil, the field bacterium Agrobacterium settles on the roots. Remove damaged plants, as they can infect neighboring specimens. Replace the soil. If the pH (acidity) is high, plants may develop chlorosis due to a lack of iron. Treatment is carried out with appropriate iron-containing preparations (chelates).

Acquisition

Strawberry trees, especially large-fruited strawberry trees, are easily found in gardening centers and specialized nurseries. Choose plants that don't have spots or signs of chlorosis on their leaves.