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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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Another harbinger of spring



The daffodils are blooming everywhere and the tulips are getting ready to pop. The little grape hyacinths seem to get lost in the shuffle. I should plant more of these. They are not a problem to grow and they spread rapidly. I admire the large ribbons of grape hyacinths planted in Holland but I've never seen them grown like this in the United States. They are so tiny, you almost have to lay down on the ground to appreciate their beauty (which is what I did to get this photo!)
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  1. Frances,March 20, 2008 at 12:14 PM

    They are so lovely, Phillip. One good use for them is to mark where tulips and other larger bulbs are planted in the fall, since their foliage is persistent all winter, you will know where to look for the emerging tips. They seems to like to be spread thinly, filling in to become large clumps quickly. I think they even seed about. And that color!
    Frances at Faire Garden

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  2. AnonymousMarch 20, 2008 at 2:42 PM

    I've got a good swath of them that make a nice purple path in the spring. They were at their best the first year and less impressive each following year. I remember seeing them first at Keukenhof in Holland, a big purple explosion of color and that's what I wanted too.

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  3. Annie in AustinMarch 20, 2008 at 6:31 PM

    There were some grape hyacinths planted along the back fence when we came - languishing in the shade and roots of the big pecan - I'm ashamed to admit they've mostly been ignored!
    Phillip, your post has made me decide to dig some of them up and move them to a better location to see if it improves the bloom.

    Annie at the Transplantable Rose

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  4. Robin's Nesting PlaceMarch 21, 2008 at 11:27 AM

    That is very pretty! It inspires me to plant them in masses.

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  5. Sweet Home and Garden CarolinaMarch 22, 2008 at 4:40 AM

    One of my favorite bulbs, along with the blue Scilla. I love the fact that it spreads as well. I'm trying to fill my entire lawn with them this year.

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  6. AnonymousMarch 22, 2008 at 10:21 PM

    I agree---they're too short to be appreciated properly. You have to lie on your belly just to enjoy their fragrance. They are pretty from a bug's-eye view though.

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  7. chuck b.March 23, 2008 at 9:23 PM

    I put a few in pots and hanging baskets where I can enjoy the scent too.

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  8. Lisa BlairMarch 26, 2008 at 11:28 AM

    It was love at first sight when I saw my first grape hyacinth. I truly love this little plant. I have a few that randomly pop up around my yard, and I always say that I'm going to do a few more. Maybe this fall I will.

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