There are so many delightful plants that, once established, are drought-tolerant, that we’d like to feature a few of them as marvelous additions to your water-wise garden.

One of our favorites is the Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo) which can be considered either a small tree or a broad upright (and large) four-season evergreen shrub. A slow-grower, in ten years it will reach a height of 8 feet with an un-pruned width of 6 to 7 feet. Given enough time, it can reach 15 to 20 feet in height with an equal width. Hardy from USDA zones 7 to 10 with an AHS zone of 9 to 6, it sports outstanding small, urn-shaped whitish-pink flowers that are produced from October to December.

As the fruit then ripens, it develops into round, ¾ inch orange-red knobs that resemble the strawberry. We caution against eating them, as they have a very high sugar content, thus are used to create a number of alcoholic beverages including wines and liqueurs. The Portuguese use the fruit to make a spirit called “Medronho” along with a Medron sweetened with honey called “Brandymel.” The Corsicans use the fruit of the Arbutus unedo to make “Liqueur a l’Arbouse” and “Crème d’Arbouse”. The Sardinians produce “Acquavita di Corbezzolo,””Liquore di Corbezzolo” and “Fior di Corbezzolo.”

Native to southern Europe and the eastern Mediterranean, this wide-traveling specimen also thrives in Ireland. With an attractive, cinnamon-colored bark, and rounded, glossy, medium-green leaves, there are many desirable varieties from which to choose, especially the compact forms. We recommend the dwarf ‘Elfin King’, ‘Compacta’ and the dwarf, pink-flowered ‘Oktoberfest,’ all of which are both handsome and reliable. Used as an informal hedge, the Arbutus unedo may also be sheared for a more formal look. Planted as a focal point with a rounded path at its perimeter it will attract birds and compliments from all of your garden visitors.