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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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Camellia love

A few weeks ago, temperatures plunged to the 20 degree mark and turned our camellia and magnolia blossoms into shriveled brown tissue. For the camellias, more buds opened and they bounced back nicely.

Taylor's Perfection is one of my all-time favorites. It is a profuse bloomer and is just now getting ready to explode with blooms.
Magnoliaflora - a delicate pink beauty.
An unknown variety. The label said "Mrs. Charles Cobb" but every image search I've ever conducted shows a decidedly red flower. I think this is something different.
C.M. Wilson, the oldest camellia in our garden, started sporting red blooms a few years ago and I've not bothered to cut them out.
 

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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  1. Randy EmmittFebruary 23, 2012 at 3:49 PM

    Phillip,

    Wow on that Magnoliaflora, to me it looks like a slight peachy white not pink.

    Hate your new word verification...

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  2. sweetbayFebruary 23, 2012 at 4:13 PM

    Taylor's Perfection is beautiful.

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  3. Lisa at GreenbowFebruary 23, 2012 at 4:49 PM

    I think it is facinating how the last camellia has multi colors. The bees must have been busy around this shrub.

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  4. LesFebruary 23, 2012 at 6:24 PM

    Similar story here with our camellias. Just a minor set back to what has been a beautiful season.

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  5. UnknownFebruary 23, 2012 at 6:41 PM

    We have similar tastes, it seems. Absolutely love Taylor's Perfection! I have "Mrs. Charles Cobb" in Atlanta, and it is also much more like yours, and decidedly not red. (And she's living in Cobb County, so I figure that has to account for something!)

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  6. Rosedale GardenFebruary 23, 2012 at 8:00 PM

    My star magnolia's have started blooming again, thought the frost had gotten them. Daffodils going wild.

    Mary

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  7. serial tillerFebruary 23, 2012 at 8:06 PM

    Seeing your camellias I am sorry I only have one! I have another question. When is the master gardener's plant sale this yr?

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  8. LarryFebruary 23, 2012 at 8:54 PM

    Hi Philip... I'm so sorry to hear what happened with the magnolias but your camellias are spectacular. I'm curious as to whether your magnolias were earlier than normal this year. This is a huge concern for me this mild winter, but so far we are mostly below freezing at night and daytime temps in mid to high 30's so the ground really hasn't thawed out as of yet... it could end up being a touchy situation... Larry

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  9. JessFebruary 23, 2012 at 9:32 PM

    I just bought a Taylors Perfection today. By chance. It really looks like a rose.

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  10. PattiFebruary 24, 2012 at 5:26 AM

    I just love camellias! My neighborhood here in Atlanta is filled with them. My power walks have turned into garden strolls since I stop so often to admire.

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  11. aquablueroseFebruary 24, 2012 at 11:30 AM

    So Beautiful to see, Phillip!

    gerri XXX

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  12. Dirty Girl GardeningFebruary 24, 2012 at 4:11 PM

    Have always enjoyed Camellias.

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  13. Phillip OliverFebruary 25, 2012 at 3:28 PM

    Randy, I agree, it is more peachy. I don't have word verification turned on so I'm not sure what is going on with that.

    Larry, yes the magnolias were early! So far, everything is early. We are having very mild temperatures this winter. It worries me too.

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