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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
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July Bloom Day

The mid-July garden is quiet, hot and sticky. At least the plants seem happy, thanks to a generous rainfall last weekend. Not many blooms to show on our annual bloom day - but a few of interest.

First, my favorite container plant this year is Begonia "Bonfire" - all of a sudden I have a liking for orange. It is growing in a pot with variegated Blueberry Flax Lily (Dianella tasmanica) that we bought in Florida last fall. The blooms on the begonia are a little sparse. This begonia actually blooms more profusely in full sun.







All of the lilies have finished blooming with the exception of this late one. This is Oriental Trumpet Lily "Black Beauty"



Clematis "Betty Corning"



Coreopsis "Limerock Ruby"



Blackberry Lily (Belamcanda chinensis) getting ready to open



Euphorbia Corollata and Salvia Coccinea "Hot Lips"



Agastache (Hyssop)



Lantana



Italian Arum (Arum Italicum)



Plume Poppy (Macleaya cordata)



Phlox



Money Plant (Lunaria)



To see what is blooming in other blogger's gardens, be sure to visit May Dreams Gardens.
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  1. jocoJuly 14, 2009 at 10:01 PM

    Good morning,

    That Bonfire is exhibited so beautifully. Glad you reminded me: I had one all summer last year. Couldn't keep it, ought to get another one for August.
    I enjoyed my visit. Such clear pictures.

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  2. AnonymousJuly 14, 2009 at 10:13 PM

    Hi. For me, it's the Oriental Lily that captures my heart. Mine are just starting and the fragrance is the stuff of dreams. Gorgeous photos and flowers.

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  3. chuck b.July 14, 2009 at 10:40 PM

    Loveliness! I like what you do with Begonia. I have a similar-looking one that I forgot this month; Begonia boliviana. The Coreopsis "Limerock Ruby" is TDF!

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  4. LesJuly 15, 2009 at 2:42 AM

    For "not many blooms" you put on a good show. We have found the Limerock Ruby to be a big disappointment up here. It was supposed to be a perennial but was not. I love the Bonfire, but could not find any this year. Lovely shots, happy GBBD!

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  5. JanJuly 15, 2009 at 3:41 AM

    I think you have more things blooming than I do right now. This heat seems to have stopped the blooms.

    Jan
    Always Growing

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  6. Lisa at GreenbowJuly 15, 2009 at 4:40 AM

    I just love begonias. I haven't run across this one around here. Do you winter over your begonias? This is so big. It looks great perched atop the statue. Lovely blooms here. Happy GBBD.

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  7. GailJuly 15, 2009 at 5:18 AM

    Your photos are fantastic Phillip! The lily is stunningly clear...I know it must perfume the garden...orange has captured me, too and those begonias jump off the page. Have a sweet day...gail

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  8. RandyJuly 15, 2009 at 5:23 AM

    Phillip that Begonia is really beautiful! I've been wondering where you've been. :-)--Randy

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  9. AnonymousJuly 15, 2009 at 5:25 AM

    That Begonia is a stunner and I love your assortment of hydrangeas in the earlier post. My arum (marginally hardy here) sent up two flowers but they've disappeared without leaving any of those wonderful berries behind.

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  10. Tatyana@MySecretGardenJuly 15, 2009 at 6:06 AM

    Hi Phillip and thank you for the pleasure to see these beautiful blooms! I like the Plume Poppy especially, but they all are wonderful!

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  11. Catherine@AGardenerinProgressJuly 15, 2009 at 8:44 AM

    What a neat begonia, I've never seen one like that before. The statue/stand that it's on is great too! That's the second 'Limerock Ruby' I've seen and it's so pretty, I wonder if it would be hardy here?

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  12. ryanJuly 15, 2009 at 9:25 AM

    Coolest use of a begonia I've seen. A lot of other nice showy blooms too. Very nice.

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  13. Sarah LaurenceJuly 15, 2009 at 12:50 PM

    I enjoyed the humor of these planters. If only I could scratch and sniff that lily. You have so many gorgeous colors in your garden.

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  14. Dig, Grow, Compost, BlogJuly 15, 2009 at 3:18 PM

    Wow, I think you've got a lot going on Phillip! That begonia really captivated me. I love how it's potted up and it looks so different for a begonia. That's also the best Limerock Ruby I've seen. It kind of melted for me!

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  15. Mr. McGregor's DaughterJuly 15, 2009 at 5:51 PM

    Happy Bloom Day. For years, I longed for Euphorbia corollata, but I couldn't find it anywhere, so I gave up and planted something else. I still love seeing it, with its charming flowers in summer and it's blazing red fall foliage. I love your combo of it with the red Salvia - sizzle, sizzle.
    If you would like a division of my 'Little Grapette' Daylily, send me an email with your address at headfullaplants@gmail.com. I'll divide it this fall. (I hate to admit it, but I have a rather large one sitting in a pot waiting for a new home, and it has lots of buds.)

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  16. Bren HaasJuly 15, 2009 at 7:08 PM

    Your bonfire is amazing.... my leafs do not get as big as yours up here in Ohio.

    I am always HONORED to have you visit my page. Thank you - you are truly one of my favorite writers.

    Happy Summer Friend.

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  17. sweetbayJuly 15, 2009 at 8:26 PM

    Oooo, I like that begonia. I've never seen one like that before. I really like the red Coreopsis too -- so vivid. Beautiful photos as always.

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  18. FrancesJuly 16, 2009 at 4:22 AM

    Hi Phillip, I love all your containers and art and other hardscapes, especially the faces! It is easy to see why the begonia has caught your fancy, it is to die for! Our Black Beauty is beginning to be a tower of blooms too, don't you love how it is later to extend the season? Why can't they breed that into some other lilies that bloom later for us? We would pay! :-)
    Frances

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  19. Roses and LilacsJuly 16, 2009 at 6:07 AM

    You have a nice variety of perennials. I've wanted Betty Corning forever and then I learned it attracts Japanese beetles so I'm rethinking. Love that birdhouse on the rustic poles.
    Marnie

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  20. Phillip OliverJuly 16, 2009 at 9:23 AM

    Marnie, I haven't noticed Japanese beetles on that clematis but there hasn't been many blooms. I just planted it this year.

    Frances, that would be a great thing!

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  21. Annie in AustinJuly 16, 2009 at 2:38 PM

    The Bonfire looks close to perfect to me, Phillip -sufficient number of blooms to appear gracious and healthy, but not so many that the plant looks so congested that one can't see the lovely shape of the individual blooms...they're set off so well by the great containers!

    I've got Salvia Hot lips but never thought about something like the Euphorbia as a companion...coming here is so inspiring!

    Annie at the Transplantable Rose

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  22. joeyJuly 16, 2009 at 7:05 PM

    A beautiful presentation, Philip. You must be very pleased ;)

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  23. MissyMJuly 16, 2009 at 7:53 PM

    I have a Bonfire that did beautifully up until a week ago. Now it is drooping and looks like it wants to die. Love the Lily!

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  24. Rob (ourfrenchgarden)July 17, 2009 at 10:22 AM

    Hi Phillip

    I'm really taken with your pots and statues etc. Eclectic and you've pulled it off!

    I keep seeing plume poppies around this year and didn't know what they were 'till now.

    I go on and off colours easily without rhyme or reason. I was anti yellow a while back, now it's back in vogue avec moi.

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  25. Dee/reddirtramblingsJuly 17, 2009 at 1:55 PM

    Hi Phillip, it is hot and sticky here too in OK due to the rain last night. However, the morning was sunwashed glorious. I've been thinking about your purple crapemyrtle which will not bloom, and I can't fathom why. Then, I look at your plants and see several I've killed in my garden like Coreopsis 'Limerock Ruby' and it's a wonder that they love your space so well. I would trade my dog for that Begonia, but HH probably wouldn't like that. Happy Bloom Day. Your containers are amazing.~~Dee

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  26. Phillip OliverJuly 18, 2009 at 7:39 AM

    Rob, that is the way I am. My tastes seem to fluctuate frequently.

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  27. Phillip OliverJuly 18, 2009 at 7:39 AM

    Dee, my coreopsis is new this year so who knows how long it will make it?

    I have my fingers crossed for the crape myrtle. I keep hoping it will bloom eventually. I love that color.

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  28. donnaJuly 18, 2009 at 4:50 PM

    Your Begonia Bonfire looks great in that fabulous container. I'm starting to think I'm the only one without a blackberry lily. Didn't know that Coreopis came in any color other than yellow. Always learn something when visiting your blog.

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  29. jaz@octoberfarmJuly 22, 2009 at 5:40 PM

    great garden...i just found you. i think you might like seeing mine too.

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