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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

The Iceman Cometh

The big storm that has been in the news just barely grazed us. We got a steady sleet and just a little snow starting this morning around 9am. For a while, things looked ominous and the university closed at noon. Temperatures have crept up a little and it is now raining. If the temperatures do slip below freezing, we could be in trouble. Fortunately, that is not forecast to happen.

Pansies popping through the sleet



The cast iron plants on the patio still look good



The Whale's Tongue agave is a plant that I wanted after seeing it on Pam Pennick's Digging blog. I've read that it is super hardy. It has had its ups and downs since I planted it and I moved it earlier from the ground to a pot.



Hmmm, it looks like someone forgot to bring the pots in this year -



Camellia "C M Wilson" has blooms -



The whitest area I could find was behind the garage -









Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. That is just a dusting and looks like a good dessert dish. We are getting pounded here. You should of gone out there and covered up that sweet camellia.

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  2. Hi Phillip~~ I heard the news reports of inclement weather in your neck of the woods. If it does freeze up tonight at least the roads won't be quite so inhabited tomorrow with it being Saturday and all. Nice photos. Beauty is everywhere.

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  3. The white defines your spacial sense very nicely Phillip... and your statuary stands out differently too... white does something to the garden and landscape... I am too tired just now to think of the word, but I like seeing this dusting over your garden. I feel for the sweet little pansies though. So glad you were spared the worst of the storm! ;>)

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  4. Nothing prettier than snow in the garden! Beautiful pictures!

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  5. Phillip,
    Your garden looks beautiful in its dusting of snow. I hope your Agave comes through okay, 'Whale's Tongue' is such a beautiful plant. Glad you were spared the worst of this storm. Stay warm! :)

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  6. There is nothing prettier than a Camellia dusted with snow. We are getting hit with the same storm pounding Anna. I woke up to about 3" with forecasts for up to 12". Quite rare for us.

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  7. Just seeing that sleet makes me cold. I didn't know the Whales tongue Agave could withstand such cold. We were missed by the storm too. We were on the northern edge. All we have is the cold from the storm.

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  8. Hopefully things are improving there. We're in the same position in Atlanta, just getting skimmed by this crazy winter weather. The snow just accentuates the beautiful structure you've got in your garden.

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  9. So glad you only got a little, Phillip. We had over five inches of snow in a short time and wondered what would happen overnight. It turned to sleet and rain and melted some of the snow. Who knows what comes next? Interesting winter this year. Hope your Agave makes it!
    Frances

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  10. Phillip, we just got some rain from the storm, and thankfully no ice. (People around here can't drive at all in any kind of icy situation). The white does look nice in your garden. Hope the agave makes it.

    Jan
    Always Growing

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  11. It looks so pretty, the dusting of snow.

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  12. I love your Camellia. We got snow last night and it's sleeting here now.

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  13. Pretty pictures! I hope the agave survives.

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  14. I hope all your plants will survive, Phillip! We are having a snowless winter here. I wanted to have at least some snow badly. Now, I am starting to rethink...

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  15. Phillip, I am so glad you did not get the blunt heavy hit from this storm. We, too, dodged a bullit here in Augusta. Looks like your garden will be fine.

    I have to tell you, the soulful classic sound of "The Iceman Cometh" Jerry Butler is a favorite. Now I will have to download a few of his 'greatest hits' like: For Your Precious Love, Only the Strong Survive and Make It Easy On Yourself.

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  16. Hello Phillip, so happy you escaped any storm. We are draped in fog once again on this western coast... 5 days running, but the gentleness is as lovely as your fallen snow. I love that bench. Did you see it in my garden? ;)

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