Arbutus unedo 'Mercurius'

Named after the smallest planet in the solar system, Arbutus unedo Mercurius brings all the charm of a Strawberry Tree to compact garden spaces. Reaching a maximum height of just around 70cm in seven years, this bushy, rounded, evergreen shrub is ideal for container gardening on balconies or terraces, or as a small feature plant or low hedge in the ground. The delicate evergreen leaves emerge with a bronze tint against reddish stems that deepen with age, maturing to a rich dark green, providing year-round colour and structure. In early autumn, clusters of petite bell-shaped flowers bloom, their creamy white petals tinged with pink, standing out beautifully against the glossy, leathery leaves. These flowers give way to small, bright red, strawberry-like fruits that develop from the previous year?s blossoms. Arbutus unedo Mercurius is highly drought-tolerant once established, making it perfect for coastal and urban gardens. It pairs wonderfully with Mediterranean-style plantings and provides a late-season food source for pollinating insects in wildlife-friendly gardens. Height and spread: 70cm (28in). Plant size varies by season, so we list by pot size rather than specific dimensions. The size of the plant at arrival may differ, and images shown are for reference only.