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Arbutus 'Mercurius' 15cm

Name: Arbutus 'Mercurius' 15cm
Brand: Greenleaf Garden Center
SKU: ArbutMercurius15cm
Price: 14.0 EUR
Availability: OutOfStock

€16,90

€14,00

Quantity

Compact evergreen Mediterranean shrub · Ericaceae · Very compact, well-branched, rounded habit

Arbutus unedo Mercurius (‘Bocarm’ PBR)

When “compact” becomes an obvious advantage 🌍

Family: Ericaceae · Pot diameter: 15cm · Height: 30cm

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.

Small without losing character

The cultivar retains the authentic strawberry tree appearance on a much more controlled scale.

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.

Planting position

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.

Colour & compatibility

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 size

Height 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.

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Arbutus 'Mercurius' 15cm

Arbutus 'Mercurius' 15cm

Arbutus unedo Mercurius (‘Bocarm’ PBR)

What makes it special

Small without losing character

Autumn lanterns

Evergreen rounded structure

A compact strawberry tree for small Mediterranean spaces

Combinations that work

Care at a glance

Light

Watering

Climate & hardiness

Safety

Light & position

Soil & planting

Growing in a pot

Watering

Feeding & mulch

Pruning & natural form

Root establishment

The natural habit becomes clear

A mature seasonal rhythm

Mature form & dimensions

The plant through the year

A little urn-shaped flower

Flowers and fruit can overlap

Frequently asked questions

Arbutus 'Mercurius' 15cm — Care & Tips

We take care of the packaging!

With specially designed boxes, we ensure that the plants will reach you intact, no matter what they encounter on the way!

All plants in 3L pots or larger are placed in individual boxes that secure the plant at the base of the pot, preventing it from tipping over.

The cardboard used for the boxes is specially made to provide resistance to potential impacts during transport.

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