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
You have so much blooming, I am jealous. It has been raining here all day. I am just glad it is not snow!
ReplyDeleteEileen
I have always loved the catkins on the Corylus, they remind be of tinsel. We are having the rains, but our temps have been in the 60's and a couple days this week in the low 70's. Windows are wide open.
ReplyDeleteThe daphne is amazing. I had mezereum for years and just like it says in the books, it suddenly died... it did leave behind numerous seedlings which I'm hoping are ok after the winter. I'm headed out into this windy and cold wet day to check on things... will see if they are still doing ok, or if the rabbits finished them off. Beautiful photos. thanks! LC
ReplyDeletePhillip, beautiful Spring blossoms! Our Corylus put on quite a show but the catkins are now browning and falling to the ground. Our mid to high 50's turned colder for several days, but it looks like warmer temps may be coming the first of the week, so we'll send some east. We have had quite the parade of color here and the fragrance on the north end (magnolia) and daphne on the south fills the air. Happy weekend. Diana
ReplyDeleteYou have so much blooming now. Seeing those camillias blooming makes me wish I could grow them.
ReplyDeleteA few daffs here are swelling. I know it won't be long now. Don't feel bad about having so much to do in the garden. We are all feeling the same way.
Well, at least the misnamed camellia is pretty!
ReplyDeleteI love that area with the rustic pergola and red bistro furniture!
Well, at whatever pace it may be, I think that you're going to get much done in your garden. I know that YOU are your own worst critic when it comes to your garden. I'm sure it's not as bad as it seems and that you'll have ample opportunity to get all of your chores done before spring is full fledged. ;0)
ReplyDelete--Jamie
...don't look at the weeds... that's like my mom used to say, "don't dare look behind the kitchen door!" your garden blooms are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteLove the stroll through the gardens. Thanks for sharing! That Daphne is a heart grabber. I am propagating about half a dozen right now. I had a bouquet on my dining room table and couldn't bear to part with it. Voila, all the stems are sprouting outdoors on my potting bench. Enough to share with gardening friends.
ReplyDeleteThanks again,
Sharon Lovejoy Writes from Sunflower House and a Little Green Island
Weeds or no, unfinished chores or no, your garden is looking beautiful!
ReplyDeletePhillip,
ReplyDeleteYour garden abounds with signs of spring. The daphne and camellia are beautiful. And, I love the colors of the viola, similar to one I am starting from seed called 'Frosted Chocolate'. We are anticipating rain over the course of the next few days, which will be melting what little snow remains. I will be keeping my fingers crossed that we do not get any more snow, though we can never be certain until mid-April.
It IS frustrating not to be able to spend every available minute in the gardens now! But yours are stunning. Love that daphne -- I've been coveting it for years and finally bought one yesterday to plant in a new, morning-sun rock garden. I've heard they can be temperamental but yours is gorgeous and healthy-looking.
ReplyDeleteThis time of year nothing gives me more pleasure than strolling through the gardens in the morning to see what new foliage/blossoms have popped overnight ... as well as discovering that you've put up a new post!
Your Daphne looks wonderful. I need to try one, but I keep having visions of it withering away... however, I think I might have a good spot.
ReplyDeleteI think the weeds flat-out taunt us this time of year.
Maybe that was winter's last hurrah!
ReplyDeleteI love the header photo.
Weather's forecast to pick up here from Tuesday onwards. Yay.
Springy indeed! I'm almost beside myself with anticipation
ReplyDeleteI know how you feel. When you work full time you want to spend every minute you can in the garden. It's always a bummer when weather won't cooperate! I did manage to get outside today and piddle around. That always helps.
ReplyDeleteDon't invite any gardeners over to see your daphne!
ReplyDeleteLove all the blooms in your garden. I know the rain-sun-rain-sun is tiresome, but my plants have been growing inches taller everyday.
Your Harry Lauder's Walking Stick is wonderful. I had one years ago but constantly fought the suckers. Finally gave up. I like the way you mix classic with cottage styles in your garden.
ReplyDeleteMarnie
But Phillip - at least cool weather makes you work like a sensible gardener...once it gets warm you'll do too much at once ;-]
ReplyDeleteGrowing a Harry Lauder's walking stick sounds like fun but someday I'd like to visit a non-alkaline place to see a daphne in bloom and smell the legendary fragrance.
Annie at the Transplantable Rose
Those photos are so lovely!!
ReplyDeletelove these walking stick trees! great pic
ReplyDeleteI'm in love with your winter daphne! Must research and learn more about her! You just so inspire me.
ReplyDeleteAll this rain (with our canine friends) has be wanting to install pea gravel or something similar through much of the backyard, eliminating all of the grass and just doing shrubbery. If I just show your photos to my husband, maybe I can convince him!?
Those daphnes have been intriguing me the last few weeks, ever since I smelled one. Must check them out. I'm sorry you had such lousy weather right when you need the time in the garden. My yard has not dried out from this winter yet (mud boots still needed). Hopefully we'll get a week without rain soon.
ReplyDeletePhillip~Your photos are splendid to see~The catkins are a delightful signal that winter is over for the trees...I so wish that my little tiny daphne would grow up to be as handsome as yours~it's just a yer old! Hope springs eternal~Now if spring would show up more in Nashville! gail
ReplyDeleteNice! I just wish our stuff was blooming, we're still a couple days out unless we get some warm temps. I'm way tired of this messy weather. Misty rain, cold winds - not quite spring yet!
ReplyDeleteWinter honeysuckle is new to me.
ReplyDeletePhillip ~ your garden is definitely showing signs of Spring. I noticed last week that your area might be getting another touch of snow and as you said above "old man winter" is slow to leave.
ReplyDeleteYou have to love those hearty viola, because they do add some great color to a drab late winter.
Many thanks for the great photographs....
Great its really fantastic, Yellows flowers are more beautiful Thank You
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!! I am so glad I discovered your blog!!
ReplyDeleteMy winter daphne lost most of its leaves when we had our snow last month, but it is still blooming. I hope it will survive all the rain we are having. Yours is gorgeous! I also really like the Harry Lauder's walking stick. It's a shrub i don't have but would love to find a place for. Your garden is really coming alive. Happy spring!
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