Skip to main content

Featured

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
2 comments
Read more
Labels

Win an unabridged CD audiobook of "Wicked Plants"

The winner is Darla of More Family and Flowers blog. Congratulations Darla and thanks to everyone who entered!


Who knew that the plant kingdom could be so dangerous? In "Wicked Plants: The Weed That Killed Lincoln's Mother and Other Atrocities", author Amy Stewart presents an A-Z encyclopedia of over 200 plants that can make you sick, cripple you or even kill you. Many of these plants could be lurking in your backyard although many come from far reaches of the world. Stewart weaves fascinating botanical facts with folklore, mythology, medicine and pop culture. This 4 CD audiobook (4.5 hours) is read by Coleen Marlo who was chosen Audiobook Reader of the Year for 2010 by Publisher's Weekly.


One lucky winner will receive a copy. To enter, leave a comment to this post and include your e-mail address so I can contact you if you are the winner. The contest is open through midnight Tuesday, August 23.

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
Email Post
Labels:

Comments

  1. BoAugust 16, 2011 at 9:45 PM

    I listen to audiobooks all the time in the car...I hope I win...bosbowl at gmail .com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Lisa at GreenbowAugust 17, 2011 at 3:46 AM

    I think this would be great fun to listen to. Thanks for the opportunity. bowerbird53atsbcglobaldotnet

    ReplyDelete
  3. MarjorieAugust 17, 2011 at 4:24 AM

    What an excellent "read". We listen to audio books when we travel and this would be a big hit. kmstrotheratgmaildotcom

    ReplyDelete
  4. DarlaAugust 17, 2011 at 6:46 AM

    Perfect giveaway with school starting back and us parent gardener's spending so much time in the car playing taxi! rusdar at hotmai dot com

    ReplyDelete
  5. Rosedale GardenAugust 17, 2011 at 5:13 PM

    With a half hour drive to work and back each day, I can finish it in a week. marycar@netspeednow.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. HannahAugust 19, 2011 at 1:46 PM

    How interesting! We just bought a new house with beautiful, but neglected gardens. I've ripped out enough deadly nightshade to wipe out the town!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. HannahAugust 19, 2011 at 1:47 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  8. GailAugust 19, 2011 at 4:31 PM

    Phillip, This will be a fun listen~
    gailtilesatgmaildotcom

    ReplyDelete
  9. UpLATEagainAugust 19, 2011 at 8:44 PM

    Oh, how VERY cool! I wish me lucky and I THANK you! Awesome blog!
    -ALTEREDsewFittingly@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. serial tillerAugust 21, 2011 at 3:24 PM

    Phillip, you give away the most interesting things! Put me in please. This sounds like something I'd really enjoy since I have a "dark side." Moo-ha-ha.
    scooterjen@tds.net

    ReplyDelete
  11. CherylAugust 21, 2011 at 3:28 PM

    This book has been on my list. Thanks! cherylwbennett@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. C. C.August 22, 2011 at 7:23 AM

    Having bought my first monkshood this year (and maybe last, considering that it died within 6 weeks), I'd love to read this. Thanks for the opportunity to vie for it!

    ccwinslow at mindspring dot com.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Peggy HillAugust 22, 2011 at 1:46 PM

    I often checkout audiobooks from the library. They're great for a long car trip. Please enter me in the drawing.

    ReplyDelete
  14. DarlaAugust 24, 2011 at 9:28 AM

    I answered your email,:)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Plant LibraryAugust 26, 2011 at 9:13 PM

    I have been searching for this information since long time your suggestions and tips are really helpful for us..
    Thanks for the sharing this all with us..

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular Posts