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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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Seasonal oddity



Things that make you go hmmm?

Only one branch of our kousa dogwood has fall color - a deep burgundy and the rest of the tree is still green. Very odd, don't you think?

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  1. C. C.November 17, 2009 at 7:30 AM

    It's very striking. :)

    Do you like the kousas? We had more than a dozen plain dogwoods in our yard that died 5+ years ago from blight, I suppose. I'd like to replace some of them, but I'm concerned that the blight is in the soil now.

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  2. Phillip OliverNovember 17, 2009 at 7:47 AM

    C.C., I do love the kousa dogwood. They may not be as showy as the other but I think they are very elegant. The blooms sit on top of the leaves so if it is possible to have a view looking down on them, it would be an advantage. I know ours is spectacular from a top story bedroom window but of course no one is usually up there to see it.

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  3. Lisa at GreenbowNovember 17, 2009 at 8:08 AM

    We can see which limb of the family tree is quite lively during fall. ;) It is odd.

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  4. CarolNovember 17, 2009 at 8:53 AM

    Perhaps it is blushing in honor of your maiden. I have had this happen before but not so dramatically. Very beautiful Phillip. I just posted my Kousa too... all gone now and I have to say it was never so brilliant as yours! Carol

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  5. LesNovember 17, 2009 at 9:52 AM

    Not to jinx you, but that odd color pattern may indicate some kind of stress. Nevertheless it is beautiful.

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  6. C. C.November 17, 2009 at 10:32 AM

    The blooms sit on top of the leaves so if it is possible to have a view looking down on them, it would be an advantage.

    Then they would be perfect for us. We have a large picture window that overlooks the back yard. Thanks!

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  7. Phillip OliverNovember 17, 2009 at 10:50 AM

    Oh no Les, don't tell me that!

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  8. RandyNovember 17, 2009 at 10:56 AM

    Boy, you garden sure is in a lot better shape than mine is right now!

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  9. AnonymousNovember 17, 2009 at 11:03 AM

    Well, it sure is a beautiful red. The rest of the tree can't be far behind. Beautiful grounds, by the way.

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  10. Roses and LilacsNovember 17, 2009 at 11:56 AM

    Phillip, your garden is lovely, even this late in the season. Those paths that disappear round curves beckon us to follow;)
    Marnie

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  11. Catherine@AGardenerinProgressNovember 17, 2009 at 2:00 PM

    I had the opposite on my Japanese Maple. All of the tree was red except for one branch that stayed green.

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  12. AnonymousNovember 17, 2009 at 3:01 PM

    What a pretty color. Maybe a wave of cold air hit only it and not the rest of the tree. We have three blueberry bushes and only one is brilliant red, the other two are green. I believe it is colder in that spot. Your garden scene looks fabulous!

    Frances

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  13. maría ceciliaNovember 17, 2009 at 7:43 PM

    Hi Phillip, I think nature has still a lot to teach us. Here in Chile nature also has been very different.
    Cariños
    María Cecilia

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  14. GailNovember 18, 2009 at 3:50 AM

    They are the best trees for brilliant fall color and the fruit is awesome looking....It is odd that only that one branch is red. Your garden is lovely~~I love the curve and the material you've chosen for the paths. gail

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  15. Dave@The Home GardenNovember 18, 2009 at 5:59 AM

    I've seen quite a few odd foliage happenings this year. Red maples with yellow centers and red borders on the leaves. The weather is probably the culprit!

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  16. sweetbayNovember 18, 2009 at 6:37 AM

    I agree with Les but nevertheless it's very striking, and then again, may just be an oddity. These plants always keep you guessing!

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  17. Dig, Grow, Compost, BlogNovember 18, 2009 at 8:55 AM

    Very odd! I think the weather has confused many plants.

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  18. Sarah LaurenceNovember 18, 2009 at 1:20 PM

    How odd! We sometimes have a few maple leaves turn early during a dry summer but never a whole section of the tree. I hope Les is wrong about the stress, but it looks that way. At least it is beautiful and you still have leaves.

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  19. Southern AspirationsNovember 21, 2009 at 7:11 AM

    Very interesting! This fall has been pretty interesting with the foliage- we get a little chill, the color turn starts, but then we get a warm spell that halts everything (and makes my daylillies start to sprout). Perhaps that is what happened here?

    In any event, a great study in contrast!

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