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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
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Fantastic phlox



Is August the pits or what? I officially hate it. It has been so hot and humid this week that you can't be outside for ten minutes without enduring a sweat bath. To add insult to injury, there is no rain in sight. This morning the weather man was talking about some type of front in the pan handle of Florida that was preventing tropical moisture from reaching us here in north Alabama. Typical!

Despite this, there are some plants that actually look great this time of year. Phlox is one of them. This is a very forgiving perennial and seems to do well in either sun or shade and snubs its nose at the heat and drought. The variety in the photo is "Robert Poore," which, true to the catalog descriptions, is resistant to powdery mildew. You can't beat it this time of year for blue color in the garden and it is great in flower arrangements.
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  1. chuck b.August 5, 2007 at 8:54 PM

    When I lived in Atlanta, it rained every day at 4 p.m. during the summer. Like clockwork. It was quite an adjustment for me.

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  2. TraceyAugust 6, 2007 at 8:36 AM

    Thanks for reminding me about Phlox. I am in Charlottesville, VA - dry, dry, dry. It is great to remember what keeps going during these down-times!

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  3. Annie in AustinAugust 14, 2007 at 10:02 PM

    Hello Phillip - thank you for coming to my blog and leaving a comment - what a beautiful site you have!
    My one little white phlox nearly croaked when we had too much rain - and is now being fried. 'Robert Poore' looks great.

    As one movie-loving gardener to another - have you seen the YouTube called Women in Film ?

    Annie at the Transplantable Rose

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