Great Design Plant: Arbutus 'Marina' for Mediterranean Gardens

My daughter planted Arbutus 'Marina' in her Mediterranean courtyard—reminds her of madrone trees at summer camp. I recall carving initials on a madrone trunk during a Boy Scout trip. Madrone (madrona) trees, native to the Pacific Coast from Southern California to British Columbia, have wild beauty appealing to the sentimental.

Arbutus 'Marina' is an evergreen hybrid of unknown origin, closely related to native madrone. Shared family looks: twisted glossy reddish trunks with peeling bark, perky flowers, pretty fruit. But unlike notoriously temperamental native madrone (dies at garden watering or patio sight), 'Marina' fits garden situations nicely.

San Marcos Growers

Plant Profile

• Botanical name: Arbutus 'Marina'
• USDA zones: 7-9
• Water: Light
• Light: Full sun
• Mature size: 25 feet tall/wide, can reach 50 feet
• Special consideration: Drainage must be very good or root diseases develop

Distinguishing Traits

Dainty pink flower clusters dangle among leathery green leaves, mainly spring and fall. Even small branches display peeling bark and glossy reddish new bark.

Eye-catching fruit (spring to fall) resembles related strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo). Edible but mealy and tasteless—why bother?

How to Use It

Magnificent patio centerpiece, though mild mess from falling leaves, flowers, fruit, bark. Happier in wilder, dry garden sections. Focal point rising from mixed California natives (manzanita, rhamnus, ceanothus). Keep lawns/frequent watering away (photo shows lawn not near trunk). Pruning lower branches trains round top.

Boxleaf Design, Inc.

Multitrunk 'Marina' with lower branches left in place finds happy dryish home with succulents and gravel mulch.

Growing Tips

Ensure pretty good to excellent soil drainage before planting. Incorporate ground bark or organic matter into planting hole.