Krauter Vesuvius Flowering Plum is Fruiting!

 

 

    Yesterday, I was finally getting to yardwork, when I noticed purple fruit under my plum tree.  I actually stepped on one in bare feet, so I knew how ripe they were.  I have never seen more than one or two fruits at a time on this tree, and now there are too many to count!  I decided to eat one and could not believe the flavor!  So sweet with a very tart skin!  Then I thought maybe I should have checked to see if they were edible before I ate it.  The tree is a Krauter Vesuvius Flowering Plum, an ornamental, they say rarely fruits.

 

 

 

   

    When I went online to check this out, most said this tree rarely fruits, purely ornamental.  Well, I know mine is fruiting!  They are about an inch and a half in size and very unblemished, until the birds find them!  Of all the sites I checked, only one said they were poisonous.  Others said they eat them and some even make jelly.  I would like to pick them so we don't step all over them and it would be nice to be able to eat them.  In all the research I did about this tree, I did see that it isn't a long lasting tree, only about 20 years or so, and I'm sure mine is atleast 15 years old.  I think I'll take better care of this tree, because it is a truely beautiful tree all season long.

 

 

 

 

 

 



The Real Yard

    Because of the heat this summer, alot of weeding and other chores have gotten behind.  I'm in the "I can't wait for fall mode" and not really interested in yard work.  Here is a look at some of the things I should have taken care of.  To the far right is a Hibiscus.

 



 

   This plant has been eaten by tiny green caterpillars for three years now.  I guess I can't use the excuse of the heat anymore.  They must over winter in the soil and should be treated with a systemic to get rid of them.  It doesn't seem to affect the flowers though.

 

 

    Another job waiting, to remove this Dwarf Alberta Spruce that I stupidly planted last fall.  There are two of them and they will be way too big for this spot.  I am running out of room in this yard for larger shrubs.

 

 





    A lovely red Sedum, notice the three leaf plant nestled within it!  I need to pull quite a bit of this poison ivy throughout the yard.

 

 

    Another messy corner.  I need to take out this old composter and clean up this back corner of the yard.  Maybe a good place for the Alberta Spruces?

 

 

 

 

 

 

    On the bright side,  my first tomato.  Unfortunately, I had to wait till August 8th to pick it! (Happy Birthday Dad!)