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
That's such an astonishingly beautiful sight.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! Our climate is too cold during the winter for Lady Banks but I used to grow it in SC. I wish it were hardy here. What stunning views you have. :o)
ReplyDeleteBreathtaking!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great combination! I, too, wish that Lady Banks roses were hardy in any of the places I garden, since I always admire them when I see them in warmer climes.
ReplyDeleteVery nice pictures, the look straight out of a magazine. Is this heaven? No, it is Alabama. :)
ReplyDeleteMy American wisteria is just now starting to come out, and is a long way off from blooming. I like the white. Mary
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! i've wanted a good climbing rose and the Lady Banks may be the answer! Is is available at any local garden shops or do you prefer some plants to come from online sources?
ReplyDeleteThanks!
The white Wisteria looks so lovely and erethreal.
ReplyDeleteSo Very Beautiful, Phillip...my dad loved his garden and his two favorites were his roses and his wisteria tree.
ReplyDeleteThis brings to mind many happy memories of my childhood home where I could see the wisteria tree so perfectly from my bedroom window.
Your photos are just breathtaking!
Thank you, Phillip!
gerri XXX
Hey Phillip, are you finding that these two are blooming in normal succession? Our lady banks have just come out and while not outrageously late technically, they usually bloom well in advance of the wisteria (though not this year). And because we were so warm end of January they started half heartedly blooming then, so instead of the full monty we are getting this sporadic but light several month bloom. These roses have definitely acted not normal this year.
ReplyDeleteDino, Lady Banks is very easy to find in our local nurseries. This is a tender rose and it took me 3 tries before I managed to get one to make it through the winter. Put it in a sheltered location.
ReplyDeleteJess, they both usually bloom around the same time for me. The scary thing though is last year they bloomed a full month ahead of this year. This weather is crazy.
The combination of the Lady Banks rose and the wisteria is stunning!!
ReplyDeleteyour yard is a constant inspiration!
ReplyDeleteEverything looks lovely Phillip, but that wisteria? Swoon! I've never seen a wisteria in "real life" can you believe it? So gorgeous!
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