Strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo) ATLANTIC

Strawberry tree - Arbutus unedo is an evergreen fruit shrub, originating from the regions of the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic coast, where it is widely distributed due to its adaptability, undemanding soil conditions and resistance to drought. As one of the few fruit plants, it can withstand fire well and is therefore an important component of natural vegetation that helps in recovery after fires. Cultivation in central Europe is possible in all viticultural areas. It prefers a sunny position, but also tolerates partial shading. The Atlantic variety is also suitable for growing in a pot without the need for planting in open ground.

Origin: the variety was bred in 1993 in the French nursery Pépinières Minier by selection from the variety Arbutus unedo Compacta
Vigour: medium strong. Forms a very graceful shrub with an ovoid compact shape. A mature shrub reaches a height of 3 m and a width of 2.5 m. The foliage is evergreen, leaves dark green, glossy, leathery, red stemmed. Wood initially pink, deep reddish brown on older shrubs.
Blossom: blooms in autumn, decorative cream-colored flowers are bell-shaped. The crop ripens in autumn of the following year. The variety is self-fertile.
Fruits: round, diameter 3 - 4 cm. Fruits are either eaten fresh or processed into jams, marmalades and liqueurs.
Color of the fruit: orange-yellow at full maturity strawberry red
Flesh: yellow-orange in color, distinctly sweet
Taste: when fully ripe, a sweet mixture of strawberry and apricot flavors
Harvest season: beginning of October
Yield: high. Very early yield onset, already bears fruit as a young plant in the pot.
Disease resistance: in central European conditions, there are no known significant pests or diseases against which protection would be necessary
Frost resistance: up to -20°C