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
Those signs of Spring are always appreciated even more after such a long and cold winter. I remember that feeling last year. Pretty soon you'll have so much blooming you'll have forgotten about winter.
ReplyDeleteLove that dark hellebore. What kind of tulips do you have?
ReplyDeleteMarnie
It's so exciting to see some new green emerging. Beautiful hellebore.
ReplyDeleteBad weather today?
Yes, yes, I get so excited seeing these first fleeting glimpses of spring. I even heard spring peepers calling this weekend. Spring is trying to emerge just as your tulips are. I see a cute little freckle peeking out from under that shy hellebore. Happy Spring Day to you Phillip.
ReplyDeleteNot bad those Tulips popping up nicely from such a late planting!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the first true signs of spring
I'm enjoying the evidence of spring on the blogs! Your photos, as always, are wonderful!
ReplyDeleteHope you're having a delightful day in the garden.
Cameron
Congratulations Phillip, Spring is here, and there! Things are bursting out all over and to include our early vegetable seeds. Love this time of year and hope you are enjoying it.
ReplyDeleteOh goody. I've been waiting for pics like these from you. Lets me gauge when my stuff will show up! I'll be excited to see all our tulips bloom. I just noticed mine coming out of the soil a little today.
ReplyDeleteThese are the signs I'm seeing in my garden, though I have irises and not tulips. I've never been happier to see Spring on its way!
ReplyDeleteSo glad to see you're coming out of hibernation!
ReplyDeleteEverything is late here as well. My fear is that all will flower at the same time and then we switch right to summer.
ReplyDeletePhillip, They are lovely...and we so needed them after the cold winter. I hope my camellia buds open, they were sure blasted in February...gail
ReplyDeleteI love the shot of the Snowdrops.
ReplyDeleteReally feels like it has finally arrived. can help but want to live out there when the days are 70 and the nights are only 15 degrees colder!
ReplyDeleteLovely shots. I was so excited this week to see my daffodils and crocuses opening. The crocuses, which have done absolutely nothing for the past 3 yrs, have multiplied with joyful abandon this year - I'm a happy camper!
ReplyDeleteI am loving all these signs of spring, but my snowdrops aren't blooming yet. You are right, spring has been slow. But more is happening every day. I am looking forward to seeing your lovely garden in full bloom. Your camellia is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteIt is with a sigh of relief that one discovers those treasures out in the garden isn't it?
ReplyDeleteNice! It's great to see things coming alive and blooming.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. I'm hoping we have a long spring after this long winter (fingers crossed but you know how that goes).
ReplyDeleteLove the new photos Phillip! I'm doing a bit of Spring cleaning today and have maybe 6 copies of the magazine Garden Design. Would you like them? If so just let Andy know and I'll have him bring them to you. Hope you are having a great day :)
ReplyDeleteThe tulips are going to be gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteLooking good - I just cleaned up most of my Hellebores yesterday. Three are still buried under snow, but not for long. Don't you appreciate spring even more after a hard winter? You've had a taste of what we in the North go through every year. Now you understand completely why we get so goofy.
ReplyDeleteIt's so nice to see you flowers, Phillip, especially the daffodils. It has been a rough winter and we are about a month late with everything. No daffs yet, only crocus, unheard of for this late date. Glad you tulips are showing. :-)
ReplyDeleteFrances
Great photos! Mahonias are so cool looking.
ReplyDeleteIt will only be a matte of time before those roses are in bloom!Can't wait!--Randy
ReplyDeletePhillip,
ReplyDeleteA lovely spring awakening in your garden. The Hellebores and snowdrops are just beautiful, and I look forward to seeing all of those tulips in bloom. I hope you continue to enjoy mild temperatures, and have a fabulous weekend! :)
Beautiful photos, as always!
ReplyDeleteWe got a nice rain yesterday, and suddenly the buds are plumper and daffodil blossoms have exploded! Loving it.
I've been meaning to ask -- The grass in the photo at the top of your page appears to be northern sea oats, correct? The fall color is gorgeous. I won one off eBay and planted it last week in a shady location. It seems to be putting out new growth already. Have you had any trouble with it taking over?
What wonderful blooms you have. It's like a preview of the next month for me--alas, except for the wonderful camellias which don't grow here.
ReplyDeleteC.C., that is indeed Northern Sea Oats. I have not had a problem with it being invasive but I know that others have. It is very beautiful in the fall as well as throughout the year.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like our springs are similar, but you're still a bit ahead.~~Dee
ReplyDeleteI'm really enjoying discovering the spring bloom from all over since I started my blog two months ago! I get particularly excited over hellebores! LC
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