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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

Snowy views

We got our first snowfall this morning, only an inch or so, but enough to close everything down. And finally the news people have something to talk about instead of that fricking football game. I can't wait for that thing to be over with!

I only went out briefly today. I first took some photos from inside. This is the view from the front door -



From the dining room window -



From the breakfast room, overlooking the back driveway -



From the north window of the breakfast room, overlooking the vegetable garden to the left -



From the upstairs bedroom -



And from the other bedroom window -



I ventured out to the mailbox and took this photo -



And finally took a brief stroll for these photos -







The snow should linger because temperatures are supposed to fall tonight and stay low all weekend. It is going to be a cold weekend with highs only in the 20s and lows in the single digits. Everybody stay warm!

Comments

  1. I know this cold spell is hard for you all down south. I do think the layer of white on your garden is quite stunning. Beautiful garden Phillip! I hope the cold will not damage your camellias! Hopefully it will not linger long. Warm Regards, Carol

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  2. In Helena nothing has stuck, though I did see some big flakes. Right now the gray sky is spitting ice. And that football game? All I can say is ROLL TIDE!

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  3. Oh, and I forgot to say how gorgeous your garden looks with a topping of snow. I really enjoyed your photos; I was hoping I would be able to pozst something similar.

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  4. Phillip, that touch of snow adds a bit of quiet mystique to your wonderful photographs of your garden.

    Hopefully that is all that will fall, so you won't have to shovel and you can just enjoy it.

    Happy New Years!

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  5. What a gorgeous frock for your garden. It looks like it is ready for the winter ball. I enjoyed peeking out the windows. Lovely views all. Try to keep warm this weekend.

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  6. Aw, that makes everything look lovely, though as Carol observed, it's hard on you southern gardeners and some of your plants. I hope the weather moderates soon.

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  7. It's beautiful but we are fortunate that it won't stay long. We got about the same in Tupelo but schools are closed for two days!

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  8. I think maybe you got a little more than we did. They called for inches and we just got a dusting. We were hoping for good sledding snow. Beautiful pictures!

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  9. So peaceful looking. You'd never know you aren't in the country already. LOL I see my dentist's office right across the street in that fourth picture.
    Ann S.

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  10. Great bones, Phillip! The structure of your garden is shown to perfection in these snowy images.

    I never realized you live in a subdivision with neighbors close by. From your warm-season, leafy pics, I'd always believed you were in a somewhat rural area. What a surprise to see glimpses of neighboring houses in this post.

    The football game is all that people are talking about here in Austin too, naturally. My DH and kids are in the living room watching the game right now. I'm opting out in favor of blog-reading.

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  11. Great photos! I am glad you have so many opportunities to enjoy the scenes from inside the house. Keep warm!

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  12. Beautiful photos Phillip! so serene, and can't wait to see similar shots as life begins to emerge.

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  13. Your garden is beautiful anytime of year Phillip! gail

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  14. Your gardens are frosted. Lovely, lovely.

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  15. What 'fricking' football game, Phillip :-) ? Do you mean the one in which we won?

    Seriously, your snow brushed garden looks lovely. I can't find mine, it's under about 8 inches of the white stuff.

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  16. I wish my back garden looked like a winter wionderland, instead I watch the freight trains go by...now and again a little wild life to life the spirits though.

    Happy New Year to you.

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  17. It's really beautiful because of the grasses and leaves beneath the snow. Hope it doesn't do much damage.
    Marnie

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  18. Snow or no, Phillip, your garden is the stuff dreams are made of. It is still at the top of gardens I would love to see in person. One of these days! I agree about the weather being a better topic for the news, ours is always filled with what seems like a police blotter, crime after crime. I only watch for the weather, now the weather is story number one. I love your view down on the bench, hope there is a comfy chair there to gaze down often. Do stay warm!
    Frances

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  19. Hmm, is that the football game that was on last night. I tricked DH into turning the TV to Ace of Cakes during half-time.

    Your garden looks beautiful under it's thin layer of snow. We didn't get anything here. At least the sun is out, even if it's in the mid-30's and blowing!

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  20. Your photos from inside the house demonstrate how well designed your garden is. You have a great view out of each window and the front door. Enjoy your snow while it lasts & stay warm.

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  21. Phillip,
    Your garden is lovely in all our seasons. I feel I've taken a stroll many times and it always destresses. Would love to see it in person. Huntsville isn't too far from you. Maybe someday! You all have done a great job with your garden. Regards, Ann

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  22. This is beautiful! I am share your birds from yesterday on my blog because you inspired me the day I saw it to go out and try to capture some myself. THANK YOU PHILIP!

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  23. Wow, what a nice dusting. In Michigan, we consider that amount of snow a hard frost, LOL!, but I understand that in areas that don't usually need snow removal equipment, that's a big deal. (And I don't like football, either, which makes it hard living in Ann Arbor in fall!)

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  24. Unusual scenes for Alabama! The snow's beautiful, but too bad it shuts everything down - same thing happens here in Raleigh. Hope your garden makes it through OK!

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  25. Your yard looks as good covered in snow as it does in summer.

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  26. So beautiful it's almost like you designed the garden for snow!

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  27. I’m amazed by all these snow photos in the south. We aren’t getting our normal snow in Maine – now I know where it is. Your garden is lovely in the snow, but I hope it doesn’t hurt your southern plants.

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