Strawberry tree


Photo: Nursery & Garden Industry South Australia		Strawberry tree Arbutus unedo Trees and Shrubs South Australia Region

	Native to parts of Europe and northern Africa, this small evergreen tree will grow to 8m high. It is grown for its dense canopy of glossy leaves and highly ornamental russet bark which sheds to reveal smooth cream bark beneath.

HOW IT SPREADS This species has escaped cultivation as a garden ornamental and is particularly invasive in sclerophyll forests of the Adelaide Hills and urban bushland. The fruits are spread by primarily by birds.

In South Australia, strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo) is listed as an invasive garden plant in the Greater Adelaide region and as a problem species in bushland in the Adelaide Hills Council district.

Alternative Plants


Photo: © immij pty ltd		Blackwood Acacia melanoxylon Trees and Shrubs

	Indigenous to South Australia it is a long lived erect of spreading tree 5–30 m high. Thrives in a moist sheltered position. The small ball-shaped pale yellow flowers appear in winter through to spring followed by curving pods which split open to shed the seed. It is fast-growing, tolerates drought and can thrive in most soils.

Photo: Gardening With Angus		Blueberry ash Elaeocarpus reticulatus 'Prima Donna' Trees and Shrubs

	Beautiful, rainforest tree native to the east coast of Australia. Grows 3-15 m in height by 3 to 5m wide depending on local conditions. Able to tolerate a variety of soils and conditions. New leaves have a red flush. Has lovely clusters of ballerina like bell flowers in spring summer. Tolerates drought, heavy frost and coastal conditions.

Photo: Gondwana Landscapes & Consultancy and State Flora		Heath-leafed banksia Banksia ericifolia Trees and Shrubs

	An attractive, fast growing, bushy shrub growing from 4 - 7 m high. It is most useful as a garden feature or screen plant with large striking spikes of yellow to reddish-orange flowers contrasted with small, linear, light-green to greyish-green leaves. Not only is it the most colourful of the eastern Banksia species when in flower, it is also one of the best plants for attracting honey-eating birds.

Photo: Gondwana Landscapes & Consultancy and State Flora		Silver banksia Banksia marginata Trees and Shrubs

	A hardy and versatile native suitable for coastal locations. Attracts native birds and insects for food source and habitat. Forms include a dwarf variety less than 1m tall, rounded bushy forms to 4m and straggly trees to 8m. Banksias can be a little difficult to prune. They do respond well to light pruning but too much can result in heavy leaf growth at the expense of flowers or permanent damage. Indigenous to many areas across South Australia and SE of Australia.