Skip to main content

Featured

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
1 comment
Read more

My Favorite Plant This Week - Duetzia 'Magician'



It seems a bit ridiculous to proclaim a favorite plant of the week when truthfully I have many favorites and would be hard pressed to choose just one. But it sounds good on a blog post, doesn't it?

Deutzia 'Magician' (sometimes spelled as 'Magicien') is new to me and was planted two years ago. It didn't bloom very much last year but my word, it was stunning this year. Standing about 4 feet tall with long, arching canes, it was smothered with deep pink blooms that are edged in white. The floral extravaganza is a bit brief (about 2 weeks) but it is memorable.

Most descriptions list it as about 8 feet tall when mature but the one I've seen at Joy Creek Nursery is the size of a small tree and easily 10 feet if not more. Pruning should be done after blooming.


Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
Email Post

Comments

  1. Lisa at GreenbowJune 7, 2020 at 2:10 PM

    This shrub has a lot going for it. Color is the best. Light green leaves and those blooms!

    ReplyDelete
  2. chavlinessJune 7, 2020 at 6:55 PM

    Stunning blooms. I wish I had the room for this shrub. I have a neighbor that cuts it down to the ground every year...

    ReplyDelete
  3. UnknownJune 9, 2020 at 8:55 AM

    I thought that looks like my deutzia "Pink-A-Boo" only to find out it's the same plant - your name is more dignified.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hoover BooJune 9, 2020 at 2:51 PM

    Beautiful photo and flowers--not a genus grown around here. Enjoyed seeing it.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular Posts