The Garden Awakens
Anise 'Woodland Red' ( Illicium floridanum ) A few weeks ago, I thought spring would never arrive, but now the change is astonishing. The nights are still cold (40s and sometimes even 30s) so planting tender annuals and vegetables is unwise although I have already succumbed, but covering and uncovering things gets old quickly. Someone made a wise comment last week and I must agree with them - "Don't plant anything tender until after May 1". Several plants are blooming like never before. One is the Anise shrub (above and below). I don't know if the recent tree pruning, which is allowing more sun into the woodland path, is affecting it or perhaps it is just age, but I've never seen so many blooms. Michael refers to this as "the stinky fish shrub" and I have to admit to smell of the flowers is quite unpleasant. It is so beautiful that I can overlook that. The old pink dogwood tree, which was already here, shades our woodland path and it too is prett
Breathtaking. I think I need more hydrangeas.
ReplyDeleteI am also a Hydrangea fan. Yours do pop in all that shade.
ReplyDeleteThe rose climbing through the crape myrtle is brilliant.
ReplyDeleteI only have one (oakleaf) hydrangea at the moment.
I'm with Jean -- I probably need more.
But I don't have much shade. And hydrangeas need at least some afternoon shade in the South, right? (Unless you want to be out there everyday with a hose.) At least that's what I've heard...
Aaron, the rose combo was an accident! I have seen oakleaf hydrangeas growing in sun but they prefer some shade, especially afternoon shade.
ReplyDeleteHi Phillip, I love your garden, I think we have similar tastes in plants, although I only have 3 hydrangeas! You are a few months ahead of me though as my New Dawn has one flower open so far. I have been looking for a hydrangea for a shady corner. I was thinking of Annabelle, but not sure of the shade factor or of the droopy blooms
ReplyDeleteClare x
This is beautiful! Would love it if you would share this and your upcoming posts at my 'Home Sweet Garden' party! Here is the link to this weeks party... http://creativecountrymom.blogspot.com/2014/05/home-sweet-garden-party-527.html ♥ Brooke ♥
ReplyDeleteClare, Annabelle blooms really well in the shade.
ReplyDeletePhillip, it's because of you that I started growing hydrangeas in my mostly shady woodland garden. I've been eager to see your hydrangeas this year, and of course they didn't disappoint. Just beautiful.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautiful Phillip! My favorite plant as I have lots of shade. The Snowflake is my favorite. Have you been to Aldridge Gardens..it is also beautiful.
ReplyDeleteEdith, I have been there but it has been a while. I need to get back.
ReplyDeleteLast October, I visited callaway gardens (it was late October) and the one thing I noted more than anything was the hydrangeas
ReplyDeleteJealousy. I killed my only oak leaf hyrdangea, (or the excessively wet spring killed it) two years ago. Rot set in. I look forward to another in the future, and you garden gives me ideas.
ReplyDeleteRay
Beautiful woodland scenes, Phillip. My eyes are too accustomed to looking at drought.
ReplyDeleteI love hydrangeas. I have planted 2 this year and really want to add a white one. How can a pink and blue be planted side by side and maintain their colors? I have seen pictures like that and want to do that. I have planted one of each with about 7 ft between them. Any suggestions?
ReplyDeleteCarol, it is hard to control the colors but basically, adding aluminate sulfate will promote blue blooms and lime will give you pink. I have heard that it is difficult to do and have not tried it myself.
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