Arbutus x 'Andrachnoides'

Arbutus x Andrachnoides
Left - an ancient specimen seen here growing in Bodnant Garden in north Wales planted in 1905. You can see the darker top layer of back peeling to reveal a lighter smooth layer beneath, a process which the tree goes through continually creating a patchwork effect similar to Eucalyptus. This excellent tree is a cross between Arbutus unedo which is native to Ireland and Arbuts andrachne a Mediterranean species, hence the 'x' between the genus and species names.
Right - a smaller specimen in the Carribean Home From Home garden in London, just after planting. A specimen at this size grows vigorously in favourable conditions gaining as much as 1m in height and spread in one season. The new stem growth is bright red and the leaves emerge with a bronze tint. This further adds to its long list of attributes; its glossy dark green evergreen foliage contrasts and shows off the bunches of pendulous, pitcher-shaped, white, flushed pink flowers that appear in early winter, followed by small strawberry-like fruits. The 'Mediterranean Strawberry Tree' or 'Madrona' as it is known in Portugal, where a firey spirit is made from the fruits, frequently develops twisted, leaning or distorted branches in an elegant way, giving the tree an architectural form.