Care of the plant Arbutus canariensis or Canary Madrona |
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The genus Arbutus, family Ericaceae, comprises 12 species of shrubs and trees native to western Europe, the Mediterranean basin, the Canary Islands and North America. Some species are: Arbutus canariensis, Arbutus andrachne, Arbutus unedo, Arbutus arizonica, Arbutus menziesii. Common name: Canary Madrona, Canary Strawberry tree. This species is native to the Canary Islands. They are shrubs or evergreen trees with a rounded crown and reddish trunk that reach 10 meters (33 feet) in height. The long oblong-lanceolate leaves (up to 15 cm/5.9" long) are bright green and have serrated margins. The flowers are reddish in color, bell-shaped and appear in hanging clusters. They bloom in summer. The fruits are edible and orange or yellow when ripe. They are used as isolated specimens (arboreal bearing) and in bushy groups to form screens (shrubby bearing). With the fruits you can prepare jams and liqueurs. Arbutus canariensis grows in full and semi-shade exposures. They resist frosts down to -8 ºC (17.6 ºF). The soil can be normal garden soil drained with coarse sand and containing organic matter; they also grow on sandy soils and on slightly clay soils. Planting is done in early spring. Water regularly so that the substrate does not dry out completely. Withstands a few days of drought. Fertilize in autumn with compost or manure. They do not need pruning. They are resistant plants to the usual pests and diseases. They are propagated from seeds sown in spring previously soaked in water for 5 days. Wait a year to transplant the seedlings to a pot or to their final location. |
Images of the plant Arbutus canariensis or Canary Madrona |
 Arbutus canariensis  Arbutus canariensis |