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 tomatoes look spectacular!
ReplyDeleteYour garden looks quite happy with the way summer has gone so far too. The weeds here are what have thrived best. The dogs have been turned loose here it seems as the weather has cooled. It feels wonderful. I will begin the attack on the weedy areas this weekend. Cheers. Enjoy the rest of your vacation.
ReplyDeleteOh - for shade at this time of the year. What a beautiful tour of your garden.
ReplyDeleteIt's been hot here! I love your yard and the pops of red are perfect!
ReplyDeleteThe rustic arbor looking down the path looks inviting and cool.
ReplyDeleteI got off work late yesterday just as the sun was going down trying to do some weeding and was almost carried off by mosquitoes. Insect repellent, fabric softener sheets, aren't working on what I have. Vicks vapor rub works on the little tiger skeeters out during the day, Reminds me I need to check on my tomatoes in the lower 40. I took over the veggie garden in daylilies & iris. The hummers have found the new feeder hanging from the pergola, so I'm going to sit comfortably in a chair and see if I can get some more pictures. Mary
ReplyDeletehow on earth do you have such gorgeous tomatoes? Mine get eaten on the vine while they are still GREEN!
ReplyDeleteLovely! The garden looks wonderful in spite of all the heat.
ReplyDeleteLOVE that wall you painted as a background.
Your garden looks so lush, unlike mine which is beginning to go brown in our dry heat... Love your begonias (are they begonias?).
ReplyDeleteFrom one hot-summer-hater to another, I have to say your garden is looking splendid. I envy you your recent rains but am glad you guys are not in a drought this year.
ReplyDeleteI've been wondering whether you decided to move or stay put? I remember reading about it a while back, but maybe I missed a post about it since then.
Impressive tomatoes and everything else looks great too!!
ReplyDeleteYour garden looks great and lush green to me!
ReplyDeleteWe finally got a bit more rain this morning and cooler temps. No 100+ in the next week and our meteorologist thinks those are gone now. Rain has been hit or miss here, too. We were in the "miss" category for July.
Utter charm is what is abundant and overflowing in your beautiful garden Phillip . . . so glad you are having enjoyable temps. We are having cooler days and nights here too. Lovely.
ReplyDeleteVery lovely, impressive yard you have. I know how hot & humid Alabama can be, many times could have melted on the spot visiting our relatives residing in Gadsden.
ReplyDeleteI am NOT a summer lover either.
Lexy
Your dog days look a lot better than mine Phillip! We are the spot where there has been no rain. Well, every now and then we get just a dribble to keep the weeds happy! One realy good thing...we had figs from our fig tree today! They were perfect!!
ReplyDeleteLove the photos, looks SO inviting!
I love the lushness that your rains have brought, but I imagine your gardening skills have just as much to do with that as the rains. We have been fortunate here as well with regular moisture and seeing what has been happening in Texas, Oklahoma and in other places, makes me grateful.
ReplyDeleteYour garden is still very beautiful! Leaves are falling already in mine, and it's looking bedraggled and weedy. It has been unbearably hot and humid here for the past 3 weeks or so. I couldn't bear to be out in it. The humidity finally broke this morning, and there was almost a nip in the air. I'm sad that the season is ending - can't wait until next spring.
ReplyDeleteIt's so good to see your garden refreshed and thriving, Phillip. I hope you have some cooler nights to go along with the cooler days, too!
ReplyDeleteAnnie at the Transplantable Rose