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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
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Yoshino Cherry



(Prunus yedoensis)

If it wasn't 85 degrees out, you would think it was snowing with all the Yoshino Cherry blossoms flying through the air. Yes, it was 85 on Friday. I sure hope this won't be one of those years where winter goes straight into summer. I hate that. Today was cooler, in the low 70s, after starting out with a rainy morning.

I was wise to photograph the Yoshinos before the rain because it looks like the show is now over. I'm miffed about this. The trees were only pretty for about a week this year and I know they lasted longer last year.

There are two Yoshinos in the garden. This was the first tree I planted on the property and I vividly remember the cold January day I planted it (that is saying a lot because I have a terrible memory). The tree is now 17 years old, the same age as the garden, and is about the same height as the house.



In the following photo, taken from across the street, you can see both trees. The smaller one on the left is the youngest and was planted five or six years after the first tree. (It looks larger in the photo but that is just the perspective from where I was standing). In hindsight, it probably should not have been planted. There is way too much going on and too many trees in the front. Can you believe the tree between them is a Sweet Gum? What was I thinking?



For some reason, the younger tree bloomed first this year. As the blooms age, they turn pink. You can see that the younger tree is darker in color.

The final photo is taken in the little garden under the older Yoshino. You can see the brick pathway is totally covered in petals. Although the weather has been absolutely beautiful this week, it has been rather windy. I guess all the wind is what caused the beauty to be so fleeting this year.



Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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  1. Chandramouli SApril 3, 2010 at 10:00 PM

    Trees are always fun. Sweet Gum sandwiched between Yoshinos! Wow! I'm interested to see how they all grow together...

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  2. LesApril 4, 2010 at 3:35 AM

    Sounds like it was a good thing you were not out of town, you would have missed them.

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  3. Tom - 7th Street CottageApril 4, 2010 at 4:15 AM

    I love these trees. I see them all over town. I keep saying I want to add one to my yard, but where? Maybe next year. I need to let my current garden grow a bit before subjecting it to more roots.

    The yoshinos in the cemetery here are still blooming. That's 2 weeks now. No rain for us over the next few days, so maybe that's why.

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  4. AaerelonApril 4, 2010 at 6:18 AM

    Gorgeous! I'll definitely be planting a few of these when I've actually got some property.

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  5. Monica the Garden FaerieApril 4, 2010 at 6:23 AM

    The photos are so marvelous, but it must be even more heavenly in person... It got pretty warm here too, high 70s, but is colder again now.

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  6. sweetbayApril 4, 2010 at 6:39 AM

    Your cherry trees are magnificent. I love the picture of the fallen petals in front of the bench like snow..

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  7. serial tillerApril 4, 2010 at 7:06 AM

    I have 3 yoshinos marching down my hillside. They are 2 yrs old and only one has blooms (about a handful!) I was thrilled nevertheless. Love the form of the older one you pictured. I echo your thoughts of hoping spring does not fast forward into summer.

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  8. How It GrowsApril 4, 2010 at 8:50 AM

    Beautiful pictures! Someday I'll have to sit down and get to know cherry varieties. I can't tell one from another.

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  9. Lisa at GreenbowApril 4, 2010 at 9:03 AM

    I bet you love all that shade during summer though PHillip. I think they look quite nice there together. Your garden looks so inviting. Perhaps the cherry trees had to lay a carpet of petals down for the Garden Fairy Easter Parade. I hope you and yours have a happy day.

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  10. WayneApril 4, 2010 at 2:08 PM

    I imagine the record heat spell did the trees in early. But they never last long enough anyway.

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  11. JanApril 4, 2010 at 2:32 PM

    What a beautiful sight! I love it when the flower petals snow down like that.

    Jan
    Always Growing

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  12. F CameronApril 4, 2010 at 2:38 PM

    I love that last photo! You should use that for the GGW Design Workshop on benches.

    The tree is beautiful! Our Kwansan is just starting to bloom today.

    It's been hot here for a week. I can't believe that I've had to wait until evenings to garden...I have to adjust to heat slowly! I can take it in the summer, after a spring...but this is too hot too soon. We already need rain here. The cool temps will be back.

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  13. frazzledsugarplummumApril 4, 2010 at 5:44 PM

    Just beautiful.

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  14. AnonymousApril 4, 2010 at 7:57 PM

    Still scrumptious, Phillip!

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  15. Roses and LilacsApril 5, 2010 at 6:39 AM

    Your photos are just beautiful. Cherries don't do well here so we must rely on apples a pears for our spring color.
    Marnie

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  16. Lisa BlairApril 5, 2010 at 6:51 AM

    These trees are stunning, Phillip!

    I know what you mean about winter marching into summer. Here in central Mississippi, we've had a late spring and now the high is 87today. I'm not ready for it yet, and neither are my early spring veggies.

    Your garden is always so beautiful! I don't think the three trees are too busy at all. You have such a wonderful eye in the garden.

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  17. Dig, Grow, Compost, BlogApril 5, 2010 at 5:08 PM

    Gorgeous Phillip! I really love cherry trees (although I don't own a one). I love the last photo with the petals on the ground. Probably true about the wind and the fleeting bloom time. I also hope we don't head straight into summer. It's been pretty hot and humid lately. Such wacky weather - a few weeks ago we had snow flurries mixed with falling pear blossoms!

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  18. GailApril 5, 2010 at 6:07 PM

    Phillip, They are lovely~~and it's good you were able to see them in bloom...How fast they seem to come and go when the temperatures are extreme like we've had! My daffs were hardly here and the tulips are melting...gail

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