Marina Strawberry Tree (Arbutus) – 1 Gallon Pot

A gorgeous flowering evergreen, the Marina Strawberry Tree forms a canopy of sculptural branches up to 30 feet tall and 20 to 25 feet wide clothed in deep green leaves that are larger than the species. Abundant pendulous clusters of showy rosy pink flowers resembling those of Pieris appear year round in warmer coastal climates and spring in fall in cooler climates. The flowers are followed by very showy red and yellow strawberry-like edible fruits in fall and winter at which time they are ready to pick and eat or use to make jams and jellies, or you just leave them on the tree for the birds to enjoy. Since the ripening process takes a year, what’s really neat is how the fruits are ripening at the same time the plant is flowering again. Another remarkable feature is the cinnamon color bark. A stunning tree that provides year round interest, Marina Strawberry Tree is drought and salt tolerant so is excellent for gardens in USDA Zones 7a-9b including coastal gardens.

Spacing:  15 feet apart for solid hedges; 28 feet apart for space between plants

Marina Strawberry Tree is easy to grow in a moist but well drained soil of average to low fertility and full to mostly sun. It has moderate drought resistance when established and is also salt air resistant. It adapts to both acid or alkaline soil conditions so pH isn’t usually a concern. Though it doesn’t require pruning, it can be pruned for tree-forming by removing lower branches in late winter or early spring.