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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

Finding bargains

I felt like I hit the jackpot this morning when I drove by Home Depot and noticed some very nice boxwood topiaries outside the front entrance with a markdown sign in front of them. Upon further inspection, they were only $5.97 (the salesgirl said the original price was $44.00!). I snatched up all four of them. Two are green and the other two were variegated.  One was even in a nice faux-terra-cotta container. One of the green ones was a tad lop-sided but other than that, I didn't see anything wrong with them.


I potted the green ones in the containers outside the front door and put the variegated ones on the patio. Made my day!





Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. Did they explain why they wanted to get rid of then so cheaply?

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  2. That is a really great deal and they look great!

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  3. Lucy, no but it is common for both Lowe's and Home Depot to make things down to get rid of them. It is usually at the end of the season when they are making room for new plants.

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  4. Awesome!! I once scored a sale at Lowe's where every perennial was $1. I was in heaven!! Bonus good luck on the free pot. :o) Happiness for you!

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  5. haha! I saw a similar boxwood deal today, and while I had to go home to 'think' on it, I think I need me some buxus too!

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  6. Phillip,

    Good find. You might even get a better deal behind the store. I find tossed out plants often at one of our HDs. A few years ago I got 3 -1 gallon camellias for $10.

    oh this word verification is awful.

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  7. You lucky duck. What a snag. I love those varigated shrubs and of course you can't beat a green boxwood.

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  8. I love a good bargain and this is an amazing one! Good find!

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  9. I worked at a HD competitor that is no longer in business. My boss told be to throw out all of the Japanese Maples because the leaves had come off and he needed the room for Christmas trees. I asked if I could have a few to try and "re-vive" them, and I got 3 for $5.

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  10. Great find. I got almost $200 of skypencils, rhodo, gardenia & Encores for a little over $18 at Lowe's last fall. Since I'd just had knee surgery I put them in my greenhouse. I found out field rats love gardenia's. Hopefully those nubs will come back out. Mary

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  11. They needed your loving touch! A good end to the weekend for you and the boxwoods!

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  12. Excellent bargins! They look great and I think you made good choices.

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