ARBUTUS unedo Cobra

Planting Conditions and Ideal Location

• Light Requirements: Thrives in full sun for the best flowering and fruiting but will tolerate light partial shade.

• Soil Preferences: Prefers well-drained, fertile soil—tolerates loam, sandy, or even poorer soils if drainage is good.

• pH Range: Neutral to slightly acidic soils (pH 6.0–7.5) are ideal.

• Moisture Needs: Moderately drought-tolerant once established but benefits from regular watering in prolonged dry periods.

• Planting Time: Best planted in spring or early autumn to allow roots to establish before summer heat or winter cold.

• Spacing: Allow 4–6 metres for mature spread when planting as a specimen tree or large shrub.

• Positioning Tips: Ideal for coastal gardens, mixed borders, or as a striking focal point in a sunny lawn area. Tolerates salt-laden winds well.

• Shelter Needs: Prefers a sheltered position in colder inland areas to protect from harsh winter winds.

Routine Care, Feeding, and Seasonal Maintenance

• Watering:

  • Water young plants regularly for the first 2–3 years.

  • Established plants are fairly drought-resistant but benefit from extra water during flowering and fruiting.

• Feeding: In spring, apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer or mulch with well-rotted compost to encourage healthy growth and blooms.

• Pruning:

  • Minimal pruning required—remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches in late winter or early spring.

  • Can be lightly shaped after flowering to maintain form.

• Mulching: Apply a 5–8 cm mulch of compost, bark, or leaf mould each spring to conserve moisture and suppress weeds—keep mulch away from the trunk.

• Pest and Disease Resistance: Generally resistant to pests and diseases. May occasionally be affected by leaf spot or aphids, but these are rarely serious.

• Winter Care: Hardy in mild areas (H4). In colder climates, protect young plants from severe frost with fleece or by growing in a sheltered microclimate.

• Propagation: Best propagated from semi-ripe cuttings in late summer or from seed, though seed-grown plants take longer to mature.

Seasonal Interest, Fruit, and Garden Value

• Flowering Season: Produces clusters of small, white, urn-shaped flowers from late autumn into winter, adding rare seasonal interest during the cooler months.

• Fruit: Develops round, red, strawberry-like fruits that ripen in the following autumn—both ornamental and edible (best cooked into jams, jellies, or liqueurs).

• Foliage: Evergreen, with glossy, dark green leaves providing year-round structure and colour in the garden.

• Wildlife Benefits: Flowers attract bees and other pollinators in late autumn; fruits are enjoyed by birds.

• Ornamental Value: ‘Cobra’ is valued for its architectural shape, attractive bark, and multi-season appeal. Its twisting branches and textured, peeling bark provide interest even in winter.

• Garden Design Uses:

  • Ideal as a specimen tree for lawns or courtyards.

  • Works well in Mediterranean, coastal, and wildlife-friendly gardens.

  • Can be planted in large containers for patios in milder regions.

• Growth and Size: Typically reaches 4–6 metres tall with a similar spread, forming a rounded crown over time.

• Longevity: Long-lived, low-maintenance plant that improves with age, developing more character each year.

• Companion Planting: Pairs beautifully with other drought-tolerant plants such as lavender, rosemary, cistus, and ornamental grasses.

• Size
  2 Litre

We currently only deliver within the island of Ireland, other countries can be quoted for by contacting [email protected] or via telephone on 06964084
 

Standard Delivery is FREE on orders over €250*

All standard deliveries will be completed within 5-7 working days via Fastway Couriers, any delay to this delivery time, the customer will be notified by One of our staff.

The in-Store delivery charge will vary compared with online, in-store delivery charge is done on a case by case basis. 

* Only mainland Ireland addresses qualify for free delivery.
 

Live Plants Delivery

Our live plants are packed with care and diligence by our staff, our horticulturists review each plant before despatch to ensure quality is maintained.
Live Plant delivery charges are not calculated on weight but on the space required per package to ensure safe delivery, so delivery charges may vary as some plants require more space than others when packed.
All live plants are despatched within 3-5 working days where possible, our couriers aim to deliver within 48 hours of despatch from our Garden Centre to allow the plant to arrive in healthy condition.
 

Click & Collect

Can’t wait for delivery? Why not try our FREE Click & Collect service? Simply make your purchase online and collect it from our store located in Croagh Co. Limerick. Our staff will contact you by phone when your order is ready for collection (Please allow 24 hours minimum). When collecting your item, call the store on 069-64084. We will then load into your car as required. This service is available in-store 9am – 6pm Monday – Saturday (No collections on Sundays)

Click here for more information about our shipping conditions.

You can pay your online order either by credit card or via Paypal.
If you have any further questions about the online order payment please contact us via ­069 640 84 or mail.