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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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Late winter arrangement



We are having a few friends over tonight to watch the Oscars. I picked some camellias, daffodils and hellebores and Michael did an arrangement for the kitchen.

It is winter?? You would not know from the temperatures. Close to 70 today. I felt guilty about not getting out and working but there was too much to do inside. Enjoy the Oscars if you watching!

 

 

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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Comments

  1. serial tillerFebruary 26, 2012 at 4:34 PM

    I love to make arrangements to enjoy indoors almost as much as I like growing them. This is beautiful!

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  2. Lisa at GreenbowFebruary 27, 2012 at 3:38 AM

    Well done Michael. This arrangement looks more like spring than winter. Beautiful.

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  3. EveFebruary 27, 2012 at 4:15 AM

    That is just beautiful! Wish I had Michael's talent!

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  4. Dirty Girl GardeningFebruary 27, 2012 at 9:12 AM

    Gorgeous arrangements, I bet the aroma is outrageous!!

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  5. Rosedale GardenFebruary 28, 2012 at 3:48 AM

    Very pretty. I'm not sure what's happened to my camelia's. They are looking sad like they've been through a harse winter. Mary

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  6. AnonymousFebruary 28, 2012 at 5:14 AM

    Absolutely beautiful!


    Sable

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  7. Gardening Under The InfluenceFebruary 28, 2012 at 6:50 AM

    Red carpet arrangement!

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  8. GailFebruary 29, 2012 at 1:26 PM

    That's a beautiful arrangement Phillip. Hope the party was fun. gail

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  9. sweetbayMarch 1, 2012 at 8:32 PM

    Beautiful arrangement. You'd never know it was the beginning of March here either -- got to 80 degrees here today!

    You asked about the apple trees -- I'm no expert, but here's what we did: sticky fake apples for maggotfly and another trap for other pests too. That's it. I think if you want pretty fruit you probably do have to spray -- we didn't in the past and used the apples for cooking.

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  10. Tatyana@MySecretGardenMarch 1, 2012 at 9:14 PM

    Phillip, Michaeeel, it is one lovely arrangements!

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  11. AnonymousMarch 3, 2012 at 9:10 PM

    Absolutely gorgeous!

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  12. DariciaMarch 4, 2012 at 11:13 AM

    wow, that arrangement is absolutely beautiful!

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