wanted: source/supplier for good size Arbutus trees , and Arbutus shrub - Vancouver I

I am planning a new garden on south facing sunny dry slope, sandy,gravel. I would like to plant indigenous trees and shrubs.
Please advise a source/supplier for good size Arbutus trees ; also, looking for transplantable size Arbutus shrub form ( ? name ?

What literature is available on cultivation and propagation of indigenous shrubs and trees?

Thanks,
AC

 

Good sized is how big exactly? Caliper request would be best judge of size if larger than potted sizes are needed. Catch is, Arbutus have a reputation for being horrible transplanters, some books even suggest to not purchase anything bigger than a one gallon potted plant, yes for the tree form Arbutus menzeisii . At the nursery the biggest we have that seem to do ok overall is 7 gallon pot, about 3/4 inch stem by about 7 to 9 feet tall or so. The specific variety is "Marinis". As for the shrub form, Arbutus unedo, we have one, two and five gallon potted sizes with "Compacta" available depending on inventory levels. I don't know of anyone that field grows Arbutus, I am not certain if it would be terribly profitable since they need that good rocky soil and seem to really thrive in the nice salty air near the water.

 

Just a reminder that Arbutus unedo , the Strawberry tree, is a European, not an indigenous species.

I have been very successful in transplanting small , about one foot high ,Arbutus menzesii. A couple were moved about 12 years ago in the summer, quite the 'wrong' time, and watered only sparingly on weekends. They are now healthy specimens, some 15ft high.

Nats are a local grower which specialises in native plants. They are a wholesale supplier but may suggest a nursery close to you which stocks their plants.

Give it a try.. you sound like you have a great location. Remember you will have lots of leaf drop in summer which sometimes is a problem for tidy types!

 

Try Streamside Native Plants in Courtenay. 250-338-7509

 

Re: wanted: source/supplier for good size Arbutus trees , and Arbutus shrub - Vancouv

Jimmy
Would you know if this source has small ones, something that could easily be shipped to PEI?
Thanks, Michael

 

I've bought some nice, healthy Arbutus menziesii seedlings at the UBC Botanical Garden's 'Shop in the Garden' and at The Natural Gardener on 10th. They were 8" & 18" high, respectively (I don't know their pot volumes). I also recently saw some fairly large seedlings at the David Hunter nursery at Broadway & Arbutus. However you have to shop around & be patient until you find a REALLY healthy looking specimen. Most of the arbutus seedlings for sale in the lower mainland are pretty sad looking & are often covered in leaf fungus etc. Look for plants with all-green leaves (if you can find'em), side branches (if they're old enough), and some recent buds (which I generally interpret as happiness, altho which can also be an indicator of misery...).

As I'm sure you know, arbutus are notoriously fussy & hard to transplant, esp when bigger. So good luck.

 

Re: wanted: source/supplier for good size Arbutus trees , and Arbutus shrub - Vancouv

I was wondering if anyone here has any experience in using Arbutus menziesii for bonsai.
I just recently saw these trees while traveling home(Alert Bay) from Nanaimo this past week. What a beautiful tree!! I'm originally from Ontario. We don't have many of the tree that grow here in BC. I have many bonsai and would love to have Arbutus in my collection.
Also, I would pay, if someone could get their hands on some seeds or seedlings and have them shipped to me. Unless someone knows of a place close to me. I have never seen this tree where I am.

Edit: Wow just noticed the date on the original post..lol.

 

Re: wanted: source/supplier for good size Arbutus trees , and Arbutus shrub - Vancouv

Hi,
Try the site below, they had product listing for Arbutus.

http://www.arbutusgrove.com/products.html

Or this site for seeds, good price and fast shippping.
https://www.plantexplorers.com/vandusen/login.php?PlantExID=793392a3f85fa64c63ff4beda9bfaf5a

 

Re: wanted: source/supplier for good size Arbutus trees , and Arbutus shrub - Vancouv

Thank you!
I'll check out those links.