Strawberry tree, Killarney Strawberry tree, Irish Strawberry tree Cane Apple

Arbutus unedo is commonly referred to as the Strawberry Tree due to the strawberry-like fruits produced in autumn; however, don’t be fooled - they do NOT taste good!

This attractive evergreen bush has young shoots tinged red, which harden to dark green. The small, white, bell-shaped flowers appear in clusters alongside the red fruit in autumn, creating a striking contrast.

As it matures, the brown bark peels away to reveal a ragged texture beneath. Its late flowering makes it valuable for bees and honey production, while the fruit is enjoyed by birds. Though not pleasant raw, the fruit can be used to make jams, beverages, and liqueurs.

A popular garden tree awarded the RHS Award of Garden Merit in 2002 and a First Class Certificate in 1933.

Arbutus unedo, commonly known as the Strawberry Tree, tolerates most soil types but thrives best in moist, well-drained soil. Unusually for an ericaceous plant, it can tolerate lime. Its tough evergreen leaves and multi-stem structure make it especially suitable for exposed or coastal locations.

At Barcham, we grow this variety as a multi-trunk form, producing a broad, architectural shape that works beautifully in modern landscapes or naturalistic planting schemes.

Killarney Strawberry tree forms an oval-headed shape at maturity and works well as a screening option. It’s also ideal for gardens where controlled growth is needed, as it responds well to hard pruning in late March/April (after the last frost), regrowing vigorously.

Looking for a more traditional form? We also offer a single-stemmed version of this beautiful tree.

Mature height: 3–7 m

Common names

Strawberry tree, Killarney Strawberry tree, Irish Strawberry tree Cane Apple

Height of tree

3-7m

Tree type

Evergreen

Soil type

Well drained, Will tolerate most soil types

Shape

Multi-stemmed

Foliage Colour

Green

Information Flags

Good for bees, Award

Looks good in

Autumn

Location

Garden

Genus

Arbutus