Arbutus unedo 'Compacta'
Best low-maintenance evergreen for deer-prone western landscapes.
The Arbutus unedo 'Compacta', or Dwarf Strawberry Tree, is a gracefully branching evergreen shrub perfect for western gardens. It offers year-round visual interest with its white flowers that mature into attractive red fruit. This low-maintenance plant is versatile, serving as a specimen tree or an informal hedge. It thrives in lean, well-drained soil and tolerates drought once established, making it a resilient and beautiful addition to any landscape.
$199.99
Owner Satisfaction
4.6
/ 5
Category Rank
866
/ 2688
#866 in Bushes & Shrubs
Price vs Category Average
+408%
Above average
Container Size
10
/ gallon
Who it's for
- Gardeners seeking vibrant, multi-seasonal landscape color
- Urban dwellers with limited garden or container space
- Busy homeowners wanting low-maintenance, water-wise plants
Who should skip it
- Homeowners wanting to avoid frequent patio or walkway cleanup
- Impatient gardeners looking for rapid privacy or screening
- Gardeners managing heavy clay or alkaline soil conditions
Performance breakdown
Year-round aesthetics
Evergreen foliage paired with seasonal flowers and fruit provides constant visual appeal.
Maintenance ease
Requires minimal attention beyond an annual winter shaping session.
Drought resilience
Highly reliable performer once established in the landscape.
Deer resistance
Strong natural defense against common garden browsing pests.
Landscape versatility
Adapts easily as a standalone specimen or a structured informal hedge.
Regional adaptability
Specifically optimized for the unique climate conditions of western gardens.
Key Specs
Container Size
10 gallon
Mature Height
8 ft
Mature Spread
6 ft
Hardiness Zones
07
Bloom Color
White
Foliage Color
Green
Sun Exposure
Full sun, Partial sun
Soil Type
Lean, well-drained
Features
- Year-round interest with evergreen foliage
- Attractive white flowers and red fruit
- Highly deer resistant
- Drought tolerant once established
- Versatile as specimen or hedge
- Low maintenance required
- Suitable for western gardens
What customers say
Customers consistently praise the exceptional quality and health of the Arbutus unedo 'Compacta' upon arrival, noting Monrovia's superior packaging ensures robust plants ready for immediate planting. The compact design is a major draw, offering the attractive evergreen foliage and unique fruit display in a manageable size perfect for urban gardens or patios. Reviewers find this variety highly reliable, establishing quickly and thriving with minimal fuss, justifying the premium price point through long term performance and aesthetic appeal.
Know before you buy
At maturity, this dwarf strawberry tree typically reaches a height of 8 feet with a spread of 6 feet. Its compact, branching habit makes it well-suited for smaller garden spaces or as a structured hedge.
Once established, the 'Compacta' is quite drought-tolerant. While it will need regular watering during its first year to develop a strong root system, it becomes much more resilient thereafter.
This shrub prefers lean, well-drained soil. It is important to ensure the planting site does not stay waterlogged, as good drainage is essential for the health of the root system.
Pruning is best performed annually during the winter months. This helps maintain its shape and encourages the graceful branching habit that makes this variety so attractive.
No, the Arbutus unedo 'Compacta' is highly deer resistant. This makes it a reliable choice for landscapes where deer pressure is a common concern.
This shrub performs best in full sun to partial sun. Providing at least several hours of direct sunlight will help ensure the best foliage density and fruit production.
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Ready to buy?
$200