Madrone Arbutus menziesii
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- ar-BYOO-tus men-ZEE-see-eye
- Description
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Madrona is a broadleaf evergreen native to the Pacific coast from British Columbia to California on dry rocky slopes and bluffs. I spring they produce sprays of white bell-shaped flowers that are followed by round fruit that matures to red. The bark is quite stunning as the bark peels revealing a coppery surface. They are difficult to transplant and can be slow to establish.
This tree requires very well-drained, low fertility, dry soils in full sun to partial shade. It should not be over-watered or fertilized. Use Madrona as a specimen, for erosion control and for year-round interest.
This tree will most likely do best in NC in the mountains due to the heat and humidity of coastal and Piedmont areas.
Susceptible to several diseases including Phytophthora, cankers, leaf spot, and root rot.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Arbutus
- Species:
- menziesii
- Family:
- Ericaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- California Indians ate the fruit raw and cooked. The bark used medicinally. The wood used for making shuttles.
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Western coast of N. America
- Distribution:
- British Columbia south to California.
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- dryish soil
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5b, 5a, 6b, 6a, 7b, 7a, 8b, 8a
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Winter
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- 0.3-inch red fruit with a barb that persists into winter.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Green
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Bell
- Flower Description:
- White bell-shaped flowers on 3- to 9-in. panicles in May.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Waxy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- 2 to 6-inch long and 1.5-3 inches wide oval, alternate, simple, waxy leaves. Glossy green above and paler underneath with entire margins.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Light Brown
- Red/Burgundy
- Surface/Attachment:
- Exfoliating
- Peeling
- Bark Description:
- Papery cinnamon, red-brown exfoliating bark.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Smooth reddish-brown bark
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Slope/Bank
- Attracts:
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Dry Soil
- Salt
- Problems:
- Messy
