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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

August Flowers

Georgian Fleabane (Inula orientalis)

Lots of blooms for August, mostly from annuals, but I will begin with the perennials.

Heliopsis 'Fire Twister' - much happier now that I moved it.

Peruvian Lily 'Indian Summer' (Alstroemeria)

Himalayan Honeysuckle (Leycesteria formosa)

Aster 'Kickin' Purple' and Ornamental Fountain Grass 'Karley Rose'

Phlox 'Jeana'

Pineapple Lily

Rudbeckia 'Little Goldstar'

Sedum 'Autumn Joy'

Echinacea 'White Swan'

A few shrubs..

Abelia 'Frances Mason'

Heather 'Multi-color' and Wiegela 'Wings of Fire'

More heathers ('Firefly' and 'Multi-color') with Snapdragon

Hydrangea 'Ruby Slippers'

Hydrangea 'Vanilla Strawberry'

Rose 'Marjorie Fair'

And finally, the annuals...

Celosia (I forget the name)

Celosia 'Burning Embers'

Fuchsia 'La Campanella' and Coleus 'Wasabi'

Geranium 'Vancouver Centennial'

Snapdragon

Strawflower 'Harvest Orange'

Portulaca

Lantana

Nemesia

Petunia, Bacopa & Cordyline

A new variety of Petunia that is actually a cross between Petunia and Callibrachoa



Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. Beautiful!
    maurus from Estonia

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  2. I love your blog, and today's post is exceptional. So many beautiful shrubs and other types of flowers. Gorgeous!

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  3. August is looking great in your neighborhood, Phillip!

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  4. We're still house hunting so I live vicariously through photos of your garden. Since we arrived June 3 just after your June 1st garden tour, is there any chance you'll be doing a late summer tour?

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    Replies
    1. Ardith, I haven't planned any upcoming but you can come any time. Just drop me an e-mail (my address is on the contact page). Thanks!

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  5. Oh, WOW! Wonderful garden, it is really exceptional. The picture with the heathers and the snapdragon has me speechless.

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