Strawberry Tree
Since moving to Washington, I have discovered a great number of new trees. One of my favorites is the Strawberry Tree ( Arbutus unedo ). It is a four-season tree with semi-glossy evergreen leaves and lovely mahogany bark. In autumn, clusters of white flowers appear, bearing a resemblance to Lily-of-the-Valley flowers. And then there are the little fruits, which resemble strawberries that appear at the same time as the flowers. I am not sure why, but I have only seen a few fruits on ours. I don't know if birds are getting them before I see them or what happens. The fruits are said to be edible but not very tasty (to humans). This year, our tree is loaded with flowers, the most I've ever seen. Bees absolutely love it and so do the hummingbirds. The flowers usually continue to appear straight through winter, and it can be blooming even during the coldest periods of winter. Aside from the fact that I have not seen much of the colorful fruits, the major negative note is the fact tha
Beautiful blooms!
ReplyDeleteThose morning glories seem to have a light of their own!
Happy Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day!
What an absolutely beautiful array of August flowers. I love the bears breeches; and, although I don't grow them, the morning glories are a favorite of mine. Your Rose 'Cornelia' photo is stunning. It must be great joy sitting in all that beauty.
ReplyDeleteYou still have so much blooming in your garden. I have never seen Datura but it is so different and beautiful. Happy Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day!
ReplyDeleteWonderful blooms throughout the garden. The crape myrtle in the pot is stunning. I love the contrast of the dark leaf and the light blooms. Ligularia 'Desdemona' blooms stand out against the dark foliage too: the flowers are such a saturated shade of yellow... Morning Glory 'Granpa Ott' look like glass ornaments!
ReplyDeleteAugust not my favorite month either, but it's half gone. Hang in there and enjoy the plethora of blooms in your amazing garden.
Wow! I'm really impressed by your selection. We're both 8b, yet your garden is in bloom with things that would die over the winter here. Either you're in a little pocket of warm, or I'm the opposite!
ReplyDeleteYou have so many plants I can't even dream of growing! I'm envious of the Gentian, pineapple lilies, and the goat's rue. I have a Eucomis that comes up each year but has never bloomed. I got 2 blooms on my Acanthus this year but the plants have long since ducked underground to wait out the summer. There was a time that Acanthus grew well here but those days seem to be over :(
ReplyDeleteThat Zauschneria/Geranium combination is breathtaking! And I love that bronze-leaved Crocosmia, it looks like a Phormium.
ReplyDeleteYour gardens are absolutely gorgeous and photographed so beautifully! The Acanthus mollis blooming is such a treat! Happy Bloom Day!
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous garden you have! Happy Bloom Day.
ReplyDeleteWow ! Your garden is absolutely beautiful !
ReplyDeleteGreetings
Your Ligularia is not like the colors I am familiar with. I was surprised how much bee love my oregano, too. Did they come from Italy? We missed you during last month's GBBD.
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I guess the best thing about August is that it make you really look forward to September..not t mention October. Provided there are no fires of course. I've admired your photos of Lamarque..If I ever actually plant another rose it will definitely be a noisette.
ReplyDeleteKS, I love the noisettes!
DeleteWow! Fabulous. Even in August. Your Eucomis is breathtaking--do you grow it in a pot or in the ground?
ReplyDeleteHoover Boo, in the ground
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