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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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Plants That Don't Mind The Heat


Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia 'Dynamite')

We had a string of really hot days last week, as high as 104. Yesterday and today have been perfect with temperatures in the mid to high 70s and no humidity. Hot weather returns tomorrow for a 3-day run. I hate it but these plants don't seem to mind -

Of course there are the heat-loving crape myrtles. Incredibly beautiful trees and they thrived in the south - here they seem to do rather well although not as fast growing.  'Dynamite' starts blooming in mid-August for me. 'Catawba', a purple variety planted next to the back deck, usually blooms earlier but it was late this year.

'Catawba' 

One of my favorites is 'Lunar Magic' which I grow in a pot. The deep burgundy foliage perfectly contrasts with the white blooms. 

'Lunar Magic'

One of my favorite small trees - the Chaste Tree (Vitex agnus-castus) - 



Hibiscus 'Midnight Marvel' in a pot outside our front window. We have one in the ground in the back garden. Both have just started to bloom -


The blooms are really huge -


The only canna I grow is 'Panache'. It is now in a pot after placing it in a different spot in the ground every year and failing to find a place that I liked. In the pot, it has bloomed better than ever so that is where it will stay. I bring it into the garage during the winter months.

Canna 'Panache'

Also in a pot is 'Little Miss Figgy' with several figs on it. I don't know how to tell when these are ready to pick -

'Little Miss Figgy'

Russian Sage (Perovskia) - these got much larger than I expected although I love them. I'm debating on moving them next year and perhaps try to find a smaller variety -


Mandevilla 'Sun Parsol Giant Crimson' - this was given to me at the end of the season at the garden center, a huge plant from Monrovia that didn't sell (I'm sure the price had something to do with it). I have never been able to over-winter a mandevilla until now. This time I put a grow light in the garage and lo and behold, it made it. I then planted it this spring by the mailbox in my still-struggling attempt to find a vine to cover it. It has grown nicely but just now beginning to bloom -

Mandevilla 'Sun Parsol Giant Crimson'

Over by the garage bin is Sumac 'Tiger Eyes' in a pot with ornamental grass 'Karl Foerster' behind it. To the back left is Canadian Hemlock 'Emerald Fountain' (Tsuga canadensis 'Monler') and to the right is Catalpa 'Aurea' -




Sumac, Nicotiana, 'Essex' Rose, Phormium 'Rainbow Queen' under 'Wolf Eyes' Dogwood


Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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Comments

  1. Kris PetersonAugust 24, 2023 at 9:01 AM

    Each and every plant is a beauty. Phillip. I really "need" a crape myrtle. Coincidentally, I have a similar post in the works focused on foliage plants, which I plan to have up tomorrow.

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  2. AnonymousAugust 26, 2023 at 8:07 AM

    'Dynamite' is a stunner! Since I have a large empty pot on the patio, I should be looking for 'Lunar Magic'. I remember it from your posting last year: loved it then, love it now.
    In the first Hibiscus photo I believe I see Allium in the foreground. Can you ID?
    Figs are ripe when they soften. The softer, the sweeter. If one 'gives' a little, taste it... you'll know if it is ready. Don't leave too long. The critters may go after it :-D
    Chavli

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  3. Lisa at GreenbowAugust 27, 2023 at 10:20 AM

    Beautiful plants all. The blooms on the Chaste tree reminds me of the blooms on Deep Ocean Salvia I have growing in a pot this summer. A new one for me.

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  4. tz_gardenAugust 27, 2023 at 11:50 AM

    OOoh, Midnight Marvel is a pretty one. Love the rich color of the bloom. Your garden is looking fantastic and is really taking the heat in stride.

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