Practical
Plants

Arbutus andrachne

Grecian StrawberryTree

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Arbutus genus in the family Ericaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Ericaceae
Genus
Arbutus
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
slow
Height
6 m
Spread
6 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Bees
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Fruit - raw or cooked[2, 22, 46, 105, 183, K]. A luscious, juicy texture with a sweet but insipid flavour[K]. Many people do not like eating more than a few of the raw fruits, though I find them very acceptable[K]. They make a good cooked fruit in preserves etc[K]. The fruit is about 15mm in diameter[7].

Plant part
Fruit

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Plants can be grown as a hedge, they are tolerant of some trimming[6]. Wood - hard, close-grained.

Product or use
Wood

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Secondary canopy

Hedge

Environment

Range
S.E. Europe. W. Asia.
Habitat
Evergreen scrub and rocky slopes[9] on limestone, serpentine and igneous rocks in areas that are very dry in summer[5].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 8+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
drought
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best surface sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe. Stored seed should be soaked for 5 - 6 days in warm water and then surface sown in a shady position in a greenhouse[10]. Do not allow the compost to become dry. 6 weeks cold stratification helps[3]. The seed usually germinates well in 2 - 3 months at 20°c[3]. Seedlings are prone to damp off[5], they are best transplanted to individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and should be kept well ventilated. Grow them on in a greenhouse for their first winter and then plant out in late spring after the last expected frosts[K]. Basal cuttings in late winter[7]. Cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth, November/December in a frame. Poor percentage[10]. Layering of young wood - can take 2 years[1][7].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Requires a nutrient-rich well-drained moisture-retentive soil in a sunny position with shelter from cold drying winds, especially when young[7]. Requires a lime-free soil according to some reports[1][3], but it thrives on a limy soil according to other reports[2][4][7]. Established plants are drought tolerant. Plants are hardy to about -15°c[5]. The flowers are sweetly scented[8]. Dislikes being transplanted, it should be placed in its final position whilst young, giving some protection in its first winter outdoors[2][3]. Plants are very slow growing. Most plants cultivated under this name are in fact A. x andrachnoides 'Serratula'[7].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  3. Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan. 1988-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  4. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

    ↩

  5. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30258-2

    ↩1↩2↩3

  6. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

    ↩

  7. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  8. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

    ↩

  9. Polunin. O. Flowers of Greece and the Balkans. Oxford University Press 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-19-217626-9

    ↩

  10. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩1↩2

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