Arbutus × andrachnoides
Arbutus × andrachnoides
Safety & Hazards
None known
Cultivation Details
Arbutus × andrachnoides is a naturally occurring hybrid between Arbutus unedo and Arbutus andrachne[1, 2]. It is found wild in Greece, and has also been produced in cultivation[1]. It succeeds outdoors in the milder regions of the temperate zone and has been shown to be capable of withstanding occasional temperatures falling as low as about -15°c[3]. Prefers a lime-free nutrient-rich well-drained moisture-retentive soil in a sunny position with shelter from cold drying winds, especially when young[2]. Unlike most members of this genus, this species thrives on a limy soil[3, 2]. There are some named forms, selected for their ornamental value[2]. Trees rarely produce fruit in Britain[2]. Plants resent root disturbance and are best placed in their final positions whilst young[1, 4]. Give them some protection in their first winter. Plants sometimes flower in the spring, but more usually in the late autumn and early winter.
Propagation
Seed - best surface sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe. Stored seed should be soaked for 5 - 6 days in warm water and then surface sown in a shady position in a greenhouse[5]. Do not allow the compost to become dry. 6 weeks cold stratification helps[4]. The seed usually germinates well in 2 - 3 months at 20°c[4]. Seedlings are prone to damp off[3], they are best transplanted to individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and should be kept well ventilated. Grow them on in a greenhouse for their first winter and then plant out in late spring after the last expected frosts[PFAF]. This species is a hybrid and is unlikely to breed true from seed. Basal cuttings in late winter[2]. Cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth, late autumn in a frame. Poor percentage[5]. Layering of young wood - can take 2 years[6, 2]. Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2026-02-20. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Arbutus+%C3%97+andrachnoides>
Pollinators
Bees
References
- [1]Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. — Bean. W. · Murray · 1981 · ISBN - ↩︎A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
- [2]The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. — Huxley. A. · MacMillan Press · 1992 · ISBN 0-333-47494-5 ↩︎Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
- [3]Shrubs. — Phillips. R. & Rix. M. · Pan Books · 1989 · ISBN 0-330-30258-2 ↩︎Excellent photographs and a terse description of 1,900 species and cultivars.
- [4]Growing from Seed. Volume 2. — Rice. G. (Editor) · Thompson and Morgan. · 1988 · ISBN - ↩︎Very readable magazine with lots of information on propagation. An interesting article on Ensete ventricosum.
- [5]Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. — Sheat. W. G. · MacMillan and Co · 1948 · ISBN - ↩︎A bit dated but a good book on propagation techniques with specific details for a wide range of plants.
- [6]RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 — F. Chittendon. · Oxford University Press · 1951 · ISBN - ↩︎Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [ 200 ]).
- [PFAF]Plants for a Future — pfaf.org ↩︎