As UC Marin Master Gardeners, we have an obligation to provide science-based information. Sometimes, though, the science we need is elusive. Take the strawberry tree, the Arbutus ‘Marina’ or unedo.

A member of the heath family, it belongs to the genus Arbutus, of which there are at least fourteen species of flowering shrubs and trees. Arbutus unedo is indigenous to southern Europe and Ireland.

Your digestive system is basically waging war against itself, and you’ve probably never heard of the humble fruit that might help broker peace. While millions of people suffer from ulcerative colitis, ...

), a broad-leaved flowering evergreen with everything but fragrance to recommend it, looks terrific year-round and does well in the Northwest. A cousin of the Northwest native madrone it's hardy to ...