The strawberry tree whose scientific name is Arbutusunedo is a fruit tree that belongs to the Ericaceae family. It does very well in Mediterranean areas and has become a symbol of Madrid for a long time.

Arbutus: What is it, and what characteristics does it have?

• Scientific name Arbustusunedo
• Common name Arbutus
• Magnoliophyta Division
• Class Ericaceae
• Genre Arbutus
• Origin It is native to the Mediterranean area of ​​the European continent. Given its ease of adaptation, it is distributed in a large number of countries.

This bush reaches up to 7 meters (normally it only reaches 4 or 5 meters). Its most particular feature is its reddish trunk covered with grayish “scales.”

Its foliage is maintained throughout the year, even in the autumn and winter, which is why it is called evergreen foliage. Perfect for giving a garden a year-round touch for its bright green oval leaves on the top and matte green on the underside.

Its beautiful flowers can be seen in the fall, blooming in hanging bouquets of white bells turning pink what makes them even more beautiful.

Another of its characteristics is its fruits in the form of berries that usually take a year to mature. At first, they have a yellow-orange hue and then, when ripe, turn red.

This precious species is highly sought after to decorate as it is of great ornamental interest for both private spaces and gardens.

The strawberry tree is not only used to decorate!

Of this noble shrub, not only are its fruits often used in confectionery and to obtain certain liqueurs. Its edible berries are also used for their properties such as:

• Anti-inflammatory
• Antirheumatic
• Diuretics

Its leaves are served in infusions, although they must be taken with care. If something natural goods, it should not be consumed, excessively can have negative effects.

Strawberry tree care

All you need to know about maintenance is:

• Light: to develop in all its splendor requires a lot of sunlight. The ideal is to grow it in the full sunless in the hottest season; at that time, it is recommended to protect them from direct rays.
• Irrigation: At the beginning of its growth, abundant irrigation is recommended. As it progresses in its development, it requires less irrigation. It has the characteristic of being able to survive periods of drought.
• Fertilizer: It is essential to pay it with a quality organic fertilizer in its greatest growth phase.
• Pruning: The best time is after the frost has ended, it can be pruned to shape it and remove the dry parts. Pruning becomes somewhat complex due to a large number of flowers and fruits that it has throughout the year.
• Substrate: Requires a loose, white, sandy, and non-calcareous soil. Good drainage is also important.
• Transplant: It is recommended to plant it directly in a garden and not in a pot, it is not very tolerable to be transplanted.
• Multiplication: By seeds or by cuttings.

This shrub is quite resistant to pests, but it must be careful of fungi, these microorganisms can affect it in the following way:

• Leaves: When it is infested with fungi, small spots appear, the solution is to remove the affected part completely.
• Soil: Fungi can also attack roots, causing rot. If a root is affected and dies, it can also affect the leaves and, consequently, the bush. This disease is contracted by poor drainage of the