"Marina" has proven to be an invaluable alternative to the native Texas Madrone and in fact, is often called the Garden Madrone referring to a hardier, more accepting landscape specimen. In all respects, "Marina" provides the same stunning contributions: upright mahogany branching, dark exfoliating bark and gray-cinnamon trunks, dark green, leathery evergreen leaves and pendulous clusters of white and pink floral display.

“Marina” was found in Nevada approximately 20 years ago. It is considered to be a naturally occurring hybrid of two native species of Madrone, but exact parentage is unknown. What is conclusive is the beauty, versatility and hardiness of this ornamental tree. The tree exhibits the hardiness of most native species yet has an appearance of Arbutus andrachnoides of southern Europe and Spain.

This evergreen tree is drought-tolerant with umber colored flowers, red berries and orange to red peeling bark. The original Marina is now 45’ by 45’, but in warm and dry climates the tree most often grows to 25’ and can be multi-branched. This madrone has a well-deserved reputation for being easy to grow and not nearly as temperamental as the Texas Madrone.

This madrone thrives in USDA zones 8 through 10 and provides a stunning contribution to the residential landscape. It should not be sited in a moist spot. It must have excellent drainage and not be exposed to over-irrigation once mature.