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
Fun!
ReplyDeleteI've seen pictures from some of the past flings on some of my blogs and it looks like it's a great time. I'm looking forward to seeing your pictures.
ReplyDeleteI plan to be there. I hope to meet you and Michael (if he can stand all of us petal pushers).
ReplyDeleteI am thinking about this. I can't stay for 5 days, but I can do a few, and if some other of my blog friends are going it would definitely be worth the trip. Its not all that far actually...
ReplyDeleteDear Phillip, Saw your garden on Photo of the Day. Congratulations on being posted there! Well deserved -- your garden is stunning. Wish I could go to the Fling, but funds are tight this year. Enjoy! P.
ReplyDeletePhillip, I also enjoyed seeing your garden on GPOD today. Congrats! Such a work of true garden art, through and through. I look forward to reading more about it this season!
ReplyDelete(I see we have lots of mutual blogging friends already.)
And the fling will be so fab! My family and I were just in Asheville this past June already. Beautiful location.
Julie