Arbutus canariensis aka Canary Islands Strawberry Tree

Arbutus canariensis, or Canary madrona, is an evergreen tree. It belongs to the heath family, Ericaceae. It comes from the Canary Islands, in a subtropical region. Kew lists Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro. Useful Tropical Plants places it in cloud forest. That source reports a Vulnerable listing from the 2013 IUCN assessment. It names fire and reduced water supplies as possible threats.

In gardens, it forms a small tree or large shrub. Its short trunk supports a crown of spreading branches. The RHS gives garden height and width as 8–13 feet [2.5–4 metres]. Plants take about 10–20 years to reach their full size. Useful Tropical Plants reports heights up to 33 feet [10 metres]. The bark adds interest, though the sources give no colour details. Long green leaves stay on the plant through the year. The leaves, bark, flowers and fruit all add garden interest.

The flowers have a bell shape and a greenish cream colour. Insects pollinate them, and orange-yellow berries follow. Sources record local use of the fruit as food. Uses include sweets, jam and liqueurs. Yet the RHS also warns against eating the fruit. Its safety notes apply to both people and pets. Other sources report no known hazards, so the accounts conflict. These mixed reports do not establish that eating it is safe. PFAF and Useful Tropical Plants list no known medicinal uses.

Choose a sheltered site with sun or some shade. The RHS recommends deep, fertile soil that drains well but stays moist. It lists clay, loam and sand as suitable soil types. Its pH guidance covers acid, neutral and alkaline soils. Useful Tropical Plants instead calls for soil free of lime. Both sources support rich soil with moisture and good drainage. Protect young plants from cold winds that dry their leaves. The RHS rates it H4 for UK hardiness. PFAF lists USDA zones 7–10.

This tree suits courtyard gardens and planting chosen for strong form. In Britain, gardeners grow it chiefly for its looks. Aphids may attack it, and arbutus leaf spot can occur. Honey fungus is another disease risk listed by the RHS. Growers can raise plants from seed or late-summer semi-ripe cuttings. Useful Tropical Plants warns that seedlings can suffer damping off. Keep seed compost from drying out, and give seedlings good airflow.