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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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Fretting over plants



The recent cold snap is finally breaking and with it a sense of relief. I always worry about certain plants during the winter. Actually, when looking at the recent temperatures, they don't look too bad. After all, the lowest temperature we had was in the low teens. It was the span of the cold that makes me wonder. We had a ten day (more or less) period of temperatures below freezing. Maybe this is not as bad on plants as a sudden freeze that comes out of the blue.

One plant that was on my mind was the Armandii clematis and I suppose the reason I thought about it a lot is because I can see it easily outside the window. That and the fact that this is my second attempt to grow it. One website says that it is hardy to -5. I don't know about that but perhaps it is hardier than I imagined. I mulched it heavily with pine straw and can only hope for the best. Looking at it today, it looks fresh and revived.

Last night was another frigid one with temperatures around 20. The forecast for the next ten days is warmer days and low temperatures all above freezing. It is going to feel really good!

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  1. LesJanuary 14, 2010 at 2:21 PM

    We have an armandii growing in the gardens at work, which is a zone colder than home. We get into the lower teens out there a couple times each winter and the plant has lived for at least 13 years. So you should be OK.

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  2. AnonymousJanuary 14, 2010 at 2:50 PM

    It's a beauty, Phillip, hope Les is right. I was looking at my journals from last year and see we had a low of 7 degrees about this time. Is that worse than the steady cold we also have had? We shall see in the spring, but right now we need some rain. Warm rain would be good. :-)
    Frances

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  3. F CameronJanuary 14, 2010 at 2:52 PM

    I do hope your plants are fine.

    I have been fretting over my plants from seeing the weather reports from afar. We just returned (after midnight) from vacation. I've not walked the garden today but, from the window, it doesn't look good at all. I'm afraid to look closer!

    Cameron

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  4. AnonymousJanuary 14, 2010 at 3:36 PM

    Phillip, we have a thermometer that will give the lowest temps it has recorded and the highest. So far we have 7 degrees and we are only 16 miles from Florence. I hope it doesn't affect my marginal plants too. Sometimes I try and push my zone.
    Jen

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  5. GailJanuary 14, 2010 at 4:08 PM

    I hope it's fine Phillip~~it's a good looking clematis. I've noticed that the camellia's flowers were wiped out by the cold...sigh! gail

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  6. Lisa at GreenbowJanuary 14, 2010 at 4:27 PM

    We are having a January thaw right now too. I hope you don't have any permanent damage in your garden. It is too early to tell here. It will get cold again no doubt. Hopefully not for as long of a time.

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  7. AnonymousJanuary 14, 2010 at 5:55 PM

    I'm glad the bitter cold is on the wane. Back to normal is going to feel like summer!

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  8. debsgardenJanuary 14, 2010 at 6:43 PM

    I am ready for spring! Your clematis looks nice and healthy. I was concerned about my tea olives, but they look OK. I like the lattice the armandii is growing on. I am looking forward to seeing spring photos of your garden!

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  9. Dig, Grow, Compost, BlogJanuary 14, 2010 at 7:03 PM

    Oh yes, we got the warm(ish) weather here today and boy did it feel good. I too worried about the length of time we were below freezing. Sounds like your clematis may have no trouble though and I look forward to seeing it this spring. I guess we ALL look forward to some surprises this spring as well!

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  10. Dirt PrincessJanuary 14, 2010 at 7:19 PM

    It is finally warming up here! It was in the mid 50s today...and it felt like a Spring day! I hope you don't lose any plants from the cold!

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  11. Deborah Younglao, Silk PainterJanuary 14, 2010 at 8:30 PM

    Spring will be nail-biter this year, waiting to see who survived this prolonged cold to emerge victorious from the ground.

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  12. UnknownJanuary 15, 2010 at 3:44 AM

    Oh, I'm glad some weather relief has found you, Phillip. I don't know this plant, but I'm optimistic that yours will pull through. I always say plants can't read their care tags and zonal recommendations, so here's hoping...

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  13. sweetbayJanuary 15, 2010 at 6:39 AM

    I'm glad your armandii looks like it's pulled through. That's one I've always wanted to add to the garden after seeing it at the JC Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh -- the vanilla fragrance of the flowers is outstanding.

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  14. Roses and LilacsJanuary 15, 2010 at 7:59 AM

    This cold spell has been hard on gardeners over the entire country... or the eastern 2/3 at least. Good luck, I hope you didn't suffer any lasting damage.

    Temps here are above freezing. We are all ridiculously happy over this small improvement:)
    Marnie

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  15. CarolJanuary 15, 2010 at 8:07 AM

    I am so glad the frigid temps are moving out and that you will be more back to your norm. Hopefully all of your plants have made it through OK. Lovely glimpse into your world Phillip! Carol

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