Wish List: Strawberry Tree (Arbutus undo)

I saw this tree at one of the gardens in the Vallejo Garden Tour. I thought it was a Manzanita tree, but the owner told us that is was actually a Strawberry Tree, which I’ve never never or seen before. The tree has reddish branches and trunk and has edible berries in various stages of development, ranging in color from white to red.

Purple Potatoes Progress (May 18, 2011)…

Purple Potatoes Progress (May 18, 2011)

The Purple Potatoes have grown so big and healthy. I’ve been adding more soil to the pot and hoping that there will be more space for Potato tubers to grow.

More New Plants…

I went on a shopping spree and purchased a whole bunch of new plants.

From Westbrae Nursery I purchased a Apple Cider Pelargonium Folia that smells really good.

Texas Terragon

From Lowe’s in Vallejo, I purchased: Wizard Coleus, Texas Tarragon Folia and a Hydrangea Folia for my Mom.

Found Coleus Branch

I also found a unknown broken red Coleus (Unknown 2011-02)  Folia
that I will try to nurse back to health.

New Bay Laurel + 2 Coleus…

Went to Berkeley Horticultural Nursery and purchased three new plants:
Bay Laurel Folia
Coleus ‘Defiance’ Folia
Coleus (Unknown 2011-01 maybe Glennis) Folia

Vallejo Garden Tour 2011

I just bought two tickets to the Vallejo Garden Tour 2011 which is coming up on Sunday. This year’s theme is “A Community of Gardens“. The tour features eight local gardens (private homes) and two community gardens. The Loma Vista Farm and the Vallejo Community Garden at Mare Island.

I haven’t received the progrm and map yet, so I’m not sure exactly where the home garden are yet. Hopefully, they will be as lush and inspiring as the previous years that I’ve gone. I got my camera ready and I’m sure I’ll take tons of photos…

More Info:
– Official website (although not updated with 2011 info):
www.vallejogardentour.com
– Facebook:
www.facebook.com/VallejoGardenTour
– Vallejo Naval & Historic Museum:
www.vallejomuseum.org/INTRODUCTION2NDPAGE.html
– Vallejo Naval & Historic Museum blog:
vallejomuseum.blogspot.com/2011/04/8th-annual-vallejo-garden-tour.html
– Visit Vallejo website:
www.visitvallejo.com/event-calendar/index.php?event=191&cat=1

Purple Potatoes Progress (April 25, 2011)…

Purple Potatoes Progress (April 25, 2011)

I found some photos of the Purple Potatoes that my Mom took while I was on vacationing in the Philippines.

Purple Potatoes Progress (April 18, 2011)…

Purple Potatoes Progress (April 18, 2011)

I found some photos of the Purple Potatoes that my Mom took while I was on vacationing in the Philippines.

Anticipating the Flight…

So after frantically getting everything set for this upcoming month long trip to the Philippines. I’m here at D’s house in Hayward waiting for him to get out of his half-day at work and finish up packing and get all the last minute things done before we have to leave for the airport at 9pm.

My friend D asked me a few months ago if I would like to accompany him to his family get together/vacation in the Philippines. I’ve been wanting to go a while now, but just haven’t worked out… but since I no longer have a job (just freelancing), I figured that it would be the perfect time to go.

This will be my first time back to the Philippines in 41 years (since 1970)!!! We left when I was 1.5 years old, so I don’t have any recollection of my birth place. I’ve just seen the few family photos when I was a baby.

I’m a bit nervous and of course excited… Excited to finally see my homeland and the people, the culture, the food, fruits, plants and all things Philippines. I’m a bit worried, because people have been telling me about pick-pocketer and thieves who will steal things from your hand, but I hope that is exaggerated… but even then, I’m not planning on bringing my DSLR camera to congested places like Metro Manila and the malls…

Oh, I’m, really excited to take lots of photos

I don’t think I will be able to see any of my relatives during this trip, which I’m bummed about, because D’s family has a set itinerary and it’ll be difficult to stray from that, but I hope that I’ll at least see my Uncle Dave when we are in Manila… Hopefully, I can return soon to Philippines like when my Aunties take a vacation. It’ll be much easier to see all my relatives, plus I’ll have more experience with how things work there.

So… any tips or pointers from anyone for this upcoming trip to Philippines?