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
Those roses and camellia look wonderful for December. Snow flurries, you say? I hope that does mean the end of the roses!
ReplyDeleteThat Italian arum is also interesting. I love variegated foliage.
Carol, May Dreams Gardens
Pam @ Digging says:
ReplyDeleteYour Weeping China Doll is my fave, and your fall/winter foliage looks beautiful too. You're right about winter in the South---warm one minute and a Blue Norther the next.
Camellias look like old fashioned roses to me. I don't see them often since they don't grow here.
ReplyDeleteYour Arum has varigated leaves. My arum has solid green leaves. I wonder if yours is a different variety than mine or is this a soil issue?
Phillip, It would be hard to find anything in my garden blooming right now. Everything has a cover of snow then ice and now another layer of snow. You garden looks wonderful. Not sure the Italian Arum would grow here but I really like it and the Japanese Ceder looks great! Thanks for sharing!!
ReplyDeleteCarol and Pam, I don't think snow would mean the end of the roses. It will have to get really cold to do them in.
ReplyDeleteLisa, not sure about the arum but I think it is the variety and not the soil.
KC, thanks. Actually, I think the arum is quite hardy. I'll check and see. If you'd like some, I can send you some next spring.
Phillip, the photos are wonderful! Flurries eh? We are way over due for a good snow in Alabama. We haven't seen any accumulation in years down here. Love the fall leaves... my kerria dropped it's leaves sometime ago, but I noticed today it's blooming again.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing your garden, Phillip. Your rose photos--especially the one of 'Lyric'--are exquisite! And the weathered bench is just lovely.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos of the roses and I love the color in the foliage. Thanks for putting these up. Enjoyed the post.
ReplyDeleteHi Phillip:
ReplyDeleteLove your photos. Italian arum looks like a winner! The bench is beckoning. A cup of grog and a camera is all it will take!
A little late to comment but did enjoy your pix. We'll see what January brings. I have that arum. One year I planted the mature berries it produced and have one little leaf to show for it. Not invasive here in southeast TN.
ReplyDeleteTHIS is what I love so much about blogging-I get to see gardeners with living, blooming plants when mine are fast asleep!
ReplyDelete