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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

Tulip time



It has been years since I've planted tulips and you may recall my post back in January about getting these in the ground rather late. No worries though, as they have come up nicely and we've enjoyed them for the past two weeks. I thought that most of these tulips would be red but they are all orange, pink and yellow. Tulips have always reminded of big fat lollipops.



I had a few extra bulbs after planting the border and stuck those in the pots on the patio.




Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. Very nice :). I have a few tulips that come back each year although they have not bloomed just yet. they are the more simple ones.

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  2. What pretty colors they are. They look perfect against the picket fence.

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  3. Gorgeous! My tulips rarely return for a second year of blooms, but i do have one, exactly one, that has returned and bloomed for over a decade.

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  4. Gourgeous! I love all your springtime flowers!

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  5. Ah! The flowers of Holland! They look beautiful and you couldn't try them in bunches next time which would create a better effect. I like its combination with your Pansies.

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  6. these are gorgeous! hoping that they do return next year!

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  7. The same here Phillip. I couldn't plant last fall and managed to get them in the ground in February...I love them along the fence in your garden...and the mixed colors are perfect~~gail

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  8. Gorgeous! What a cheerful pop of color!

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  9. Beautiful tulips! I honestly didn't know they could be grown so far south! (I don't even try due to bunnies and bambi)

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  10. It's a treat to see tulips whose foliage hasn't been mangled by dogs, like mine! They're very beautiful. Love the colors.

    Mine are pink and yellow and lavender and in the mornings before they open up they look like Easter eggs. I hope they'll come back next year, but I'm not counting on it.

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  11. LOL I thought one of the compensations to us not being able to grow many of your warmer climate plants was you didn't get to grow tulips. Oh well, they look really nice along the fence and in the planter!

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  12. Those are lovely. I only have a few tiny species tulips starting to open now.
    Marnie

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  13. They've shot up from such a late planting.

    Lovely, I bet you plant hundreds more for next year.

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  14. the garden looks fantastic. nice shots and well done.

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  15. This tulip lover loves your big fat lollipops!

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  16. two weeks?! Mine are just today showing the first blooms.

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  17. Nice... mine have all bloomed out by now. Those are gorgeous.

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  18. Big lollipops is a perfect comparison. They sure look good enough to eat.

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  19. Great combination of colors. If I had a sunny spot in my yard I might plant some.

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  20. Phillip, that first photo made me sign with delight. I love the color combo. I planted some tulips, and I'm getting a few crazy color combos too. Your framed yours beautifully.~~Dee

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  21. I’m glad to see that your harsh winter didn’t hurt your garden. Those tulips have wonderful color. They are like lollipops! I love it.

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  22. Spring is zinging in your garden. I loved the shots of your gorgeous Cherry trees, and your Tulips look wonderful. I guess Tulips are kind of like a box of chocolate.

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  23. Your tulips are beautiful, Phillip -- they are such welcome flowers this time of year, and I really like the combination plantings you have. I also think that picket fence makes an outstanding, rustic backdrop!

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  24. Very pretty. I saw them yesterday when I was at the dentist but they were beginning to fade. Glad you posted the "peak" pictures here.

    Ann

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  25. Very pretty! Good idea to plant them in a pot too.

    Just came across your blog for the 1st time. Enjoyed!

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  27. Phillip, your tulip display is luscious!

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  28. Stick my name name in the hat for a freebie! We've only got the one Tulip open which I put up on the blog, but they've opened so wide I think they're going to turn inside-out? Compensating for the harsh winter I guess!

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  29. Those tulips are so pretty. Love the color.

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  30. Those do look nice along the fence. Mine are budding. Will be a couple more weeks before the bloom.

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