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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

Taking advantage of the plant sales



This is what happens when you go to Lowe's on a Saturday morning in mid-August. They were practically giving things away. I came home with my truck loaded and spent less than $50. A pyramid trellis was marked down to $19.95 (from $69!) and the plants were either 99 cents or $1.99. Rudbeckia, coneflowers, barberry "Crimson Pygmy", hyssop and Loropetalum "Pixie" were among my finds. Most of the plants are in pretty good condition too. I felt like a kid in a candy store!

Comments

  1. What a deal! I will be looking for our stores to do markdowns soon.

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  2. Glad to see you hit a jackpot! Looks like some great finds and bargains for sure. I can relate to the 'kid in a candy store'. Hope I can find some deals like this around here like the place you found.
    Best regards, Jon at Mississippi Garden on 8-16-08

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  3. We have had the whole nursery on sale for a month now trying to make a little cash and make room for new stuff this fall. It always kills me to let the stuff go so cheap, but if someone is willing to come in and is willing to take care of the plant - who am I to complain.

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  4. Wow, great job! What great finds!

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  5. Wow...what a great shopping score! You've tempted me to go see what I might find.

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  6. Now that is my kind of shopping trip! what fun!

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  7. Your are so lucky..the nearest Lowes in 40 miles one way..don't get there much...but then it keeps me from spendin money..so that's the upside.

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  8. OOOOOOOOOOOO lucky, lucky you!!!

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  9. Wow! I wish our Lowes store here in Athens had a sale like that going. I would have loaded up my truck as well.

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  10. I must get my pick up to Lowes & Home Depot for some bargain shopping! Only problem is, we have three Lowes and two Home Depots in our area! We have rain coming from Tropical storm Fay so hopefully the start to the end of the drought.

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  11. They haven't started marking them down yet here. I'll keep a lookout though. I love that tuteur you got. We have it at our Lowe's too.~~Dee

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  12. Good deals! I am hoping to take a trip around the stores and nurseries this weekend to see what is available. There is just no feeling in the world like finding that plant you want on sale cheap! : )

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  13. Oh - this I why I am happy that we do not have Plant Sales here!

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  14. Wow, I'm headed to our local store tomorrow for some patio pavers. I always peek at those discount racks. I hope I can find some similar deals!

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  15. You are the keen shopper! Lucky you, I always miss the sales...I don't know where I am maybe blogging!

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  16. Hey Phillip! You must have been on cloud nine that day. I know I would have been. This is the best time of the season to get deals like that, but you really raked in the deals! My problem is that I've overplanted EVERYWHERE and have no business buying plants now. Then, again.... ;-)

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  17. Have truck, will shop. It looks like you have a fine haul.

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  18. Our Lowes does the same thing $1.00 plants. I fill up the whole truck then have to come home and find "space" in an already too full garden. Don't you love it! It's like you can't imagine passing up a deal like that even if you have no space.
    My garden is constantly changing due to the new additions flowers :)
    What a joy!
    Love your Dutchman's Pipe vine! It really looks gorgeous!
    Enjoy today~
    Karrita

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