I am currently working on my masters in agricultural sciences, specialising in plant sciences. In my free time, I am passionate about growing my own fruit and veg. I find a real sense of balance gardening at my parents house. When Im not in the garden, I like to go hiking to discover amazing photo ops. Favourite fruit: currants and blackberries Favourite vegetables: carrots, mushrooms and onions
The fruits of the strawberry tree look very similar to strawberries grown in the garden We will introduce you to the best varieties and show you how to plant and care for strawberry trees in the garden.
Are those strawberries on the tree? Even though the fruits of the strawberry tree resemble the red berries, the two plants are not related. We will reveal what this strange tree is all about.
Hey there garden lovers! I’ve been getting tons of questions about strawberry trees lately, especially comparing Arbutus Marina and Arbutus unedo. As someone who’s worked with both varieties, I’m excited to break down everything you need to know to pick the perfect one for your space!
Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | Arbutus Marina | Arbutus unedo |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 25-40 feet | Up to 30 feet |
| Growth Pattern | Tree-like, single trunk | Shrubby, multi-stemmed |
| Flower Color | Bright pink to red | White to light pink |
| Leaf Size | 4-5 inches | 2-4 inches |
| Climate Adaptability | More adaptable | Mediterranean climates |
| Maintenance | Lower | Moderate |
Origin Story: A Tale of Two Trees
Let me tell you something interesting – the Marina strawberry tree has quite the backstory! It first popped up at a 1917 horticultural show in San Francisco and got its name from the Marina district where it was grown. Pretty cool, right? Meanwhile, its cousin Arbutus unedo is the OG strawberry tree, native to places like Ireland and the Mediterranean.
Size and Growth Habits
Here’s the biggest difference I’ve noticed between these two
-
Arbutus Marina
- Grows like a proper tree
- Can reach 40+ feet tall and wide
- Slower growing (which is actually great for maintenance!)
- Perfect as a focal point
-
Arbutus unedo:
- More shrub-like unless trained
- Tops out around 30 feet
- Dense, rounded shape
- Great for hedges and screening
The Pretty Stuff: Flowers, Fruits, and Bark
Both trees are gorgeous, but they each have their own special features:
Marina’s Showstoppers:
- Bright pink to red bell-shaped flowers
- Blooms basically year-round (super impressive!)
- ¾-inch strawberry-like fruits
- Amazing cinnamon-colored peeling bark
Unedo’s Charms:
- Delicate white to pale pink flowers
- Fall/winter blooming
- Slightly larger fruits (about 1 inch)
- More subtle bark coloring
Growing Conditions: Which One’s Tougher?
I gotta say Marina is the clear winner when it comes to adaptability. It’s like the easy-going friend who gets along with everyone! It handles
- Different soil types
- Drought conditions
- Various climates
- Less than perfect drainage
Unedo is a bit pickier – it really wants that Mediterranean lifestyle with:
- Cool, wet winters
- Dry summers
- Well-draining soil
- Regular water while establishing
Real Talk: Maintenance and Care
Let’s be honest about what you’re getting into:
Marina Maintenance:
- Pretty low-key once established
- Minimal pruning needed
- Can handle some neglect
- Might drop stuff year-round (flowers, fruit, bark)
Unedo Care:
- Needs more attention to watering
- Regular pruning to maintain shape
- More susceptible to root rot
- Better behaved about dropping debris
Practical Uses in Your Garden
Marina Works Best For:
- Statement pieces
- Shade trees
- Urban settings
- Larger landscapes
Unedo Shines As:
- Privacy screens
- Hedges
- Small space gardens
- Mediterranean-style landscapes
Small Space Solutions
Got a tiny yard? No worries! There are compact versions of both:
- Marina ‘Elfin King’: Stays around 5 feet
- Unedo ‘Compacta’: 8-10 feet max
My Personal Take
After working with both trees, I gotta say Marina is my go-to for most gardens. It’s just more forgiving and versatile. But if you’re going for that Mediterranean vibe and have the right conditions, Unedo can be absolutely stunning.
Quick Care Tips
- Plant in full sun to partial shade
- Water deeply but infrequently once established
- Avoid overwatering (both hate wet feet!)
- Minimal fertilizer needed
- Watch for pests like scale and aphids
The Bottom Line
Both trees are awesome choices, but here’s my simple advice:
- Choose Marina if: You want a low-maintenance tree that’ll grow bigger and handle whatever nature throws at it
- Go with Unedo if: You’re after a smaller, shrubby option and can provide Mediterranean-like conditions
Remember, whichever you pick, you’re getting a beautiful evergreen that’ll give you flowers, fruit, and gorgeous bark all year round. Can’t really go wrong with either one!
Want more gardening tips? Drop a comment below or sign up for our newsletter. Happy planting, folks!
How to plant a strawberry tree
To plant your strawberry tree, dig a hole one and a half times the size of the ball. Especially for trees over one and a half metres tall, we recommend using a wooden stake to provide support. A tree tie made of coconut rope can be used to fix the tree to the wooden stake. However, the stake and tree must not be adjacent to each other, otherwise the bark will be damaged by the rubbing. After planting, water the sapling abundantly, preferably with the help of a watering border. Particularly over the next three weeks, pay special attention to ensuring a good water supply. Our Plantura Organic Flower Compost is ideal for cultivating a small strawberry tree in a container or improving your garden soil and can promote the flowering of this little tree.
Tip: Due to their limited winter hardiness, we recommend protecting the trunks and branches of all types of strawberry trees with a jute bag or similar during particularly cold nights or locations – this is especially true when the trees are still young.
- Perfect for all flowering plants in garden beds & pots
- For beautiful blossoms & healthy plant growth
- Peat-free & organic soil: CO2-saving composition
Summary: Planting strawberry trees
- Outdoor cultivation or cultivation in planters possible
- Sunny to partial shade
- Warm location, sheltered from wind
- No temperatures below -15 °C
- No waterlogging
- Loose, slightly acidic soil
- Planting in spring or autumn
- Support tree after planting
- Water abundantly at the beginning
- After two to three weeks, fertilise with Plantura Flower Food.
Strawberry trees are very drought-resistant, making them a low maintenance feature in your garden. Pests are not a big issue for the strawberry tree. Only aphids can occasionally be observed on the tree. However, any infestation is usually kept within limits. If not, you can send useful insects to tackle the aphids. Learn more about controlling aphids by using beneficial insects here.
Since the plant also thrives in low-nutrient soil, a fertiliser application in spring and summer, for example with our Plantura Flower Food, is sufficient. This provides a long-lasting supply of essential nutrients.
- Perfect for flowering plants in the garden & on the balcony
- For healthier plants with beautiful & long-lasting blossoms
- Long-lasting fertiliser that is free from animal products – child & pet friendly
The tree is best watered using collected rainwater. This is good for the environment and contains less lime compared to tap water, which benefits the strawberry tree.
Strawberry tree: origin and properties
The strawberry tree (Arbutus) is originally from regions such as the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands and even North America. The plant has impressed people for a long time, as shown by its mention in the poems of Virgil and Ovid. However, this plant is a real insider tip in Central European gardens today.
The tree is characterised by its fairly slow growth, with a maximum height of about 5 to 40 meters outdoors depending on the species. The leaves of the evergreen tree or shrub resemble those of the laurel tree. The trees can be expected to bear fruit after around five years. Strawberry trees blooms in winter or spring, depending on the species, displaying white to pink panicle-forming bell flowers, typical of the heather family (Ericaceae), to which the tree belongs. Then, in spring, the namesake red-orange strawberry-shaped berries form and can be harvested the following autumn. This makes the strawberry tree an ideal eye-catcher in both small and large gardens.
Amazing Bark, Amazing Tree! Arbutus Marina (Marina Strawberry Tree)
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