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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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Eden State Park


More vacation photos, this time from our annual visit to Eden State Park. We love this place and were pleased to see that they had done a lot of work during the past year. There were new stone pathways and a brand new entrance with a winding road surrounded by live oaks. The focal point of the property is a magnificent two-story home, owned by the Wesley family, a timber farming family, in the 1800s. In 1963, Lois Maxon bought and renovated the home, creating a showplace for her family heirlooms and antiques. The collection of Louis XVI furniture is the second largest in the United States.


This house reminds me of the one in the film "Hush, Hush Sweet Charlotte". I keep expecting Bette Davis to appear on the top landing holding a rifle and yelling "YOU GIT OFF MY LAND!"

The Spanish Moss is spectacular -


 And the ferns growing on the massive trees -


 

The Beautyberry (Callicarpa) is always spectacular -


The majority of plants on the property are camellias and I just realized that I didn't photograph any of them! Actually, there were only the sasanquas blooming at this time of the year. There is also a nice old rose garden that is usually filled with hybrid tea roses. However, it looked like most of them had been removed. I would love to see them plant old roses instead. If you are in the Destin/Panana City area of Florida, be sure and visit Eden State Park. It is located in Point Washington, off U.S. 98 on C.R. 395.


 

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  1. IlonaGardenNovember 3, 2009 at 12:21 PM

    I was just in Destin last month- sure wish I had seen your article before then- it looks like a wonderful place to visit.

    Well, it looks like I will need to return next year, this time with Eden on my mind :)

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  2. Debra HowardNovember 3, 2009 at 1:22 PM

    Wow it is beautiful. I used to visit the beautiful state of Alabama in my teen years and it was such a beautiful state to see. It is nice seeing it through your blog.
    Debbie

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  3. GingerNovember 3, 2009 at 2:57 PM

    Hmmm. I've been to that area many times and never heard of this beautiful place! Thanks for the tip!
    I love the trees.

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  4. sweetbayNovember 3, 2009 at 5:31 PM

    Such a beautiful place. I love all of the Spanish Moss and the second storey balcony.

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  5. Randy EmmittNovember 3, 2009 at 5:57 PM

    The house reminds me of an old estate we visited in South Carolina in early September this year. Thanks for such a lovely tour..

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  6. AnnNovember 3, 2009 at 6:35 PM

    Finally, I know what that plant with the bright colored berries is - the Beautyberry. Lawrence and I saw some a couple of years ago hiking on the Trace and we didn't know what it was.
    I will have to remember next time we go down there to go to the park. It looks like a place we would love to visit.
    Ann

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  7. AaerelonNovember 3, 2009 at 6:46 PM

    It looks really beautiful there, definitely a place I would like to visit! I love moss/fern covered trees. It feels almost other worldly to me.

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  8. GailNovember 3, 2009 at 6:47 PM

    Phillip, it's a beautiful graceful Southern place! I just noticed the fat buds on my camellia! gail

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  9. LesNovember 3, 2009 at 7:00 PM

    I miss live oaks dripping with Spanish moss. We have the oaks here, and in places the moss, but never together. It's like having a Christmas tree with no lights or tinsel.

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  10. Southern AspirationsNovember 3, 2009 at 8:05 PM

    oh my gosh this place looks amazing! I believe I remember seeing some mention of it the last time I was in the Panhandle, but had no idea what I was missing. Thank you for the gorgeous shots! I must check it out.

    Also, not sure how you feel about blog awards, but I gave you the Honest Scrap one today!

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  11. AnonymousNovember 4, 2009 at 3:38 AM

    It is a beautiful spot, Phillip, and does remind me of that movie, full of southern drawl. You asked about the muhly grass, I would recommend adding sand and or gravel to the planting hole and setting it high. You should be able to grow it. Perhaps your luscious soil is too rich. Mine is lean and mean, full of gravel from the old driveway underneath, and or course we are on a slope. I want you to be able to grow it! :-)
    Frances

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  12. tinaNovember 4, 2009 at 4:29 AM

    It sure is a beautiful property and that house sure does remind one of Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte. That was a pretty good movie (though a bit disturbing) and the house beautiful.

    Congrats on winning Best Alabama Blog this year!

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  13. How It GrowsNovember 4, 2009 at 4:49 AM

    Beautiful shots - I love southern Gothic landscapes like these!

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  14. Lisa at GreenbowNovember 4, 2009 at 4:55 AM

    I haven't been to Fl much. If I looked at it as a garden tour kind of place it might become more appealing to me. This place is magnificent with the big ole mansion in such a setting.

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  15. Roses and LilacsNovember 4, 2009 at 6:48 AM

    It's a lovely place. I can picture Miss Scarlet on the veranda surrounded by her beau.
    Marnie

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  16. Monica the Garden FaerieNovember 4, 2009 at 7:45 AM

    Wow, what a lovely park, and certainly so different a mood from anything we have in MI!

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  17. Dirt PrincessNovember 4, 2009 at 8:03 AM

    I would have never guessed this was Florida. It looks like old Louisiana to me! I will definitely have to make this trip! It is beautiful! I recently had a professional development course, and the lady hosting was from Virginia. She was blown away by all of the spanish moss here. She thought it was the most interesting thing. I suppose it is, although we take it for granted here....it is something to see.

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  18. joeyNovember 4, 2009 at 5:42 PM

    Stunning photos, Phillip, love the Spanish moss and yes ... Hush, Hush Sweet Charlotte ... the movie still gives me chills!

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  19. CarolNovember 5, 2009 at 12:21 PM

    I see Bette there too! That house takes me right into the movie. What fabulous trees! Are they Oaks? Wonderful photos Phillip. Quintessential Southern with all the spanish moss hanging down. Carol

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  20. Dig, Grow, Compost, BlogNovember 6, 2009 at 2:23 PM

    Looks like a nice place! I wouldn't doubt if they were going to replace those hybrid teas with OGR's. I always feel sorry for gardens that have rows of hybrid teas. The roses always look a bit forlorn to me.

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  21. Tatyana@MySecretGardenNovember 6, 2009 at 3:33 PM

    Beautiful, beautiful trees! Spanish moss adds to their beauty.

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  22. LonaNovember 6, 2009 at 4:56 PM

    What a beautiful place. LOL, I remember that movie ;-) Maybe Scarlett O'hara will come walking out with her curtain dress on. The moss and ferns are just so amazing on the trees.
    You have some gorgeous pictures in your postings. Love the beach shots.

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  23. AnonymousNovember 7, 2009 at 1:44 PM

    So glad I caught this! My parents are heading to Panama City for their annual get-away there next month, and they're both garden lovers - they will LOVE to check this out!

    By the way, congrats on your blog award - from the looks of the photos on your site, you should also get a photography award!

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  24. RandyNovember 9, 2009 at 7:26 AM

    Phillip,
    I'm glad you had a good time at Eden! Those are great pictures.-- Randy

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  25. KathyNovember 9, 2009 at 6:03 PM

    Beautiful photos. Haven't been to your state, but it looks lovely!

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  26. AnonymousJanuary 3, 2010 at 11:24 AM

    Thanks for suggesting this as a destination! My parents, who vacation in Panama City Beach every January, just went on your suggestion and loved the reflection pond...many flowers still in bloom and it was a nice addition to their usual roundup of activities. "I can't imagine what it's like in summer with everything in bloom," Mom said!

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