In search of the Killarney strawberry tree
South west Ireland is remarkable for lots of reasons but from a botanical point of view the flora is unlike other parts of the British Isles and the jewel in the crown is Arbutus unedo, the Killarney strawberry tree. Native to the Atlantic coasts of Portugal, NW France and SW Ireland it is now a moderately common garden plant known for its attractive bark, evergreen leaves, small, honey-scented pink and white flowers in autumn and the red fruits that give the tree its name. Though superficially resembling strawberries the fruits are not very tasty and the name ‘unedo’ means ‘you eat one’ in reference to how many you are likely to munch on. It was reportedly very common in the Killarney area but was extensively cut down for burning and charcoal production in the last two centuries. So, although my Kerry trip was not primarily to see the tree in the wild and it was a quick tour, I was hoping to see the fabled Killarney strawberry tree.
Was it growing near Kells Bay? I didn’t see it there!
Was it growing near O’Carroll’s cove? I didn’t see it there!
Was it growing near Ladies’ View? I didn’t see it there!
Was it growing at Muckross House? Maybe but I didn’t see it just here!
or here…
or here…
or here…
or here…
or anywhere on the rock garden…
I was a day too late….
… at last – I found one!
And there were more! Planted in the parterre in the walled garden
The Biking Gardener 
Wow, you really live in a beautiful part of the world. Cambridgeshire looks pretty boring in comparison. Are you going to go back when the tree has fruit to see if they really taste as bad as they say?
I’ve nominated you for an award btw- https://diggingforsanity.wordpress.com/2015/03/18/look-at-my-bulging-trophy-cabinet/ 🙂
Thank you for your comment and nomination. I know that Cambridgeshire will seem a bit flat when I go back but it has its charms too 🙂 I am not sure I will go back to Killarney to hunt for arbutus fruits but there are lots of other places to have a taste 🙂
When you come back? Are you from round ere then? I actually live in the hilly part of Cambridgeshire. When I tell people they don’t believe it exists.
Yes I am from round there! Thorney, which is almost on a hill! Just east of Peterborough
I know Thorney! I grew up in Peterborough but I live out in the countryside now near the Northants border. On an actual hill. 😉
Well you have to go downhill to whittlesey so Thorney must be on a bit of a hill but yes, Northants has proper hills 🙂 its a small world!
Before I came out here to do this job I was Editor of Garden Answers so worked for EMAP (now Bauer).
Ha, I used to live around the corner from the old EMAP building. Small world!
glad you found the tree very interesting and lovely photos
Thank you 🙂