Small without losing character
The cultivar retains the authentic strawberry tree appearance on a much more controlled scale.
Arbutus 'Mercurius' 15cm
Normal price
€16,90
What does the legal guarantee mean for plants?
The legal guarantee concerns the plant’s conformity at delivery. It is not a guarantee of survival or growth for two years. Each issue is assessed taking into account the nature of the plant, its care and the conditions in which it is kept. Your statutory rights remain unaffected.
Arbutus unedo Mercurius (‘Bocarm’ PBR)
When “compact” becomes an obvious advantage 🌍
- Very compact strawberry tree
- Naturally rounded habit
- Narrow evergreen foliage
- Autumn flowering
Arbutus unedo ‘Mercurius’ (‘Bocarm’ PBR) keeps the Mediterranean charm of a strawberry tree in a dense, rounded form with an unusually fine texture. Narrow evergreen leaves clothe its branches in deep green, while little pink-tinged white flowers hang like delicate lanterns in autumn. Its beauty lies in the balance: a steady presence, natural elegance and a flowering surprise as the garden changes season. It is a plant that feels immediately at home among the warm materials of a courtyard.
The well-branched crown makes a quiet focal point beside stone, terracotta or wood. Repeated along a low boundary, it brings rhythm; planted individually, it adds lasting green structure among more seasonal displays. Its narrow leaves give the outline a finer, lighter appearance than that of a typical strawberry tree.
What makes it special
Three characteristics explain why this cultivar genuinely stands out: its principal colour display, its particular natural habit and the value it retains beyond a single season.
Autumn lanterns
Small white flowers with a pink tint appear from September to November.
Evergreen rounded structure
Dense branching forms a permanent, beautifully shaped green volume.
Why you will love it: Mediterranean strawberry tree character in a naturally rounded evergreen form of about 70 cm after seven years, with a long-term potential of approximately 1–1.5 m.
In the garden & on the balcony Placement & plant combinations Show it in a clear sunny position with low, open companion planting that leaves the full rounded outline visible.
A compact strawberry tree for small Mediterranean spaces
Ideal in a terrace pot, at the front of a border, by a small entrance or as a low informal hedge. Its mature scale keeps views open and the outline clean.
For a low line, allow roughly 0.65–0.75m from centre to centre. As a specimen, leave a little more open ground so the naturally rounded form remains clear.
Combinations that work
Combine deep green, silver, earth tones and soft pink in full sun, with light acid to neutral, very free-draining soil.
- Lavandula angustifolia — Shares sun and free-draining soil, forming a low aromatic base.
- Teucrium fruticans — Adds a silver contrast and light Mediterranean structure around the rounded strawberry tree.
- Cistus creticus — Completes the natural dry-climate composition with spring colour and matching drainage needs.
Care at a glance
Light
Full sun or a very bright position, with free air movement and open space around the naturally rounded evergreen crown.
Watering
Water more regularly during establishment, then thoroughly only as the upper layer dries; avoid excessive winter moisture.
Climate & hardiness
Evergreen and officially stated as hardy to about −15°C. Excellent drainage remains critical in winter cold.
Safety
This page covers ornamental use. Do not consume fruit or other plant material without certain identification and ripeness.
Detailed careComplete care guideSun, excellent drainage, pots, establishment, watering, light feeding, mulch and natural form
Light & position
Give it full sun or a very bright position, with free air movement and room to retain its naturally rounded habit.
Soil & planting
Choose moderately fertile, acid to neutral soil with excellent drainage. Avoid heavy ground where water remains around the roots in winter.
Growing in a pot
Select a stable outdoor pot with free drainage holes and a growing medium that keeps its structure. Gradual repotting makes moisture easier to manage.
Watering
Water more regularly through the first establishment period. Later, water thoroughly when the upper layer dries, without leaving the root zone permanently wet.
Feeding & mulch
A light spring feed is enough in poorer soil. A thin organic mulch buffers sudden moisture changes without touching the root collar.
Pruning & natural form
Its compact outline develops naturally. Remove only dead or awkward branches after flowering and avoid hard pruning into old wood.
Development over timeFrom a young plant to a mature compact strawberry treeCorrect establishment gradually gives way to characteristic branching, verified mature scale and the cultivar’s full seasonal rhythm.
Root establishment
After planting, growth may remain slower while the root system settles. Correct moisture and a sheltered microclimate build the base for dense future growth.
The natural habit becomes clear
Main stems branch gradually to form a very compact, well-branched, rounded habit. Its natural line is best maintained with light correction rather than rigid clipping.
A mature seasonal rhythm
With maturity it repeats its principal display every year: small white flowers with a pink tint from September to November.
Mature form & dimensions
Long-term sizeHeight 1–1.5 mSpread 1–1.5 mVery compact, well-branched, rounded habit
Low branches clothed in narrow leaves build a dense rounded crown. About 70 cm high and wide after seven years; approximately 1–1.5 m in the longer term.
The plant through the year
Evergreen
Year-roundSmall narrow evergreen foliage
September–NovemberSmall white flowers with a pink tint
The crown remains evergreen in suitable conditions. Density, colour intensity and exact timing vary with light, temperature and microclimate.
What to expect after planting: Growth may be restrained through the first season while roots establish. In a suitable position in open ground it reaches approximately 70 cm in height and spread after seven years, with a long-term potential of approximately 1–1.5 m in both dimensions. Growth in a pot is usually more restrained and depends on available root space. Season and microclimate determine whether the plant arrives with flowers, buds, fresh growth or a quieter crown.
History & breeding Cultivar origin Wandrille de Thomassin’s selection and the name of a small planet
Mercurius® is the selection developed by breeder Wandrille de Thomassin and named ‘Bocarm’. What set it apart was the combination of very compact, rounded growth and narrower leaves: the familiar character of a strawberry tree in a distinctly smaller form.
Plantipp took on its international introduction under the name Mercurius, a reference to Mercury, the smallest planet in our Solar System. The image suited the selection’s rounded shape, which reached approximately 70 cm in height and spread after seven years. European plant variety protection was registered under number 67455.
Its parents and the precise year of the original selection have not been published. Its story continues through its introduction as a strawberry tree for more restricted plantings, with autumn flowers and evergreen foliage remaining integral to its character.
Greenleaf for Plant NerdsScience nobody asked forBotanical details for anyone curious about what lies behind the plant’s appearance
A little urn-shaped flower
The strawberry tree’s corolla consists of joined petals and narrows towards its opening. Five small lobes turn slightly outwards at the rim, creating its characteristic urn shape.
Flowers and fruit can overlap
In Arbutus, fruit takes about a year to ripen. Autumn flowers can therefore appear at the same time as fruit formed from the previous year’s bloom.
Frequently asked questions
Six practical answers covering light, watering, pots, mature size, pruning and seasonal behaviour.
01When does ‘Mercurius’ flower?
The official flowering period is September to November, with small white flowers carrying a soft pink tint.
02Does it prefer sun or partial shade?
It prefers full sun or a very bright position. Excessive shade produces a more open crown and fewer flowers.
03Can it remain in a pot?
Yes. The very compact form was selected for excellent pot performance, with gradual repotting and unobstructed drainage.
04How large does it become?
In a suitable position in open ground it reaches approximately 70 cm in height and spread after seven years, with a long-term potential of approximately 1–1.5 m in both dimensions. Growth in a pot is usually more restrained and depends on available root space.
05Is it drought tolerant?
Once established it tolerates dry periods, but a potted plant still needs thorough watering as the upper layer dries. Tolerance does not mean prolonged complete drying of the rootball.
06Does it need pruning to become rounded?
No. A rounded well-branched habit is a natural cultivar feature. Remove only dead or awkward branches after flowering.
📦 Your plant travels protected
Every order is prepared with care so your plant arrives upright, secure and safe.
Individual protection
Plants in pots with a capacity of 3 litres or more are placed in individual boxes that hold the pot securely and reduce the risk of tipping over.
Sturdy packaging
We use reinforced cardboard designed to protect against impacts and vibration during transport.