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
Winter sun is so precious, and your cute flamingo reminds me of the approaching(!) summer!
ReplyDeleteSunshine and flamingoes. A warming thought on a 24degree day.
ReplyDeleteHa! You've got a little patch of Florida right there ;)
ReplyDeleteI agree with Fernando, although I wouldn't mind spring happening before summer.
ReplyDeleteOh Phillip - that is adorable! I have a feeling I need to find emergency shelter for a lot of hitherto homeless plants before this weekend. It's going to be bad.... Fernando should thank his lucky stars he is not forgotten outside somewhere. Even if the light is slowly returning, it will be awhile before flamingo-friendly temperatures will follow.
ReplyDeleteHim and all the rest of us! Love him.
ReplyDelete