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
A beautiful tree, is that bloom from this year? We have a magnolia called Jane that blooms later to avoid those frosts, but it got zapped with last year's later than normal heavy freeze.
ReplyDeleteFrances at Faire Garden
I think I have a cultivar of this. (It came with the house.) Last year when we had that awful April freeze, every Star Magnolia got zapped but mine. It blooms reliably every year & rarely gets damaged. (There, I've just cursed myself.) It is surprising that it doesn't do better down south by you.
ReplyDeleteI saw your comment about photo sizes on Pam's blog. Here's what I know about Blogger & photos. When I started blogging, I didn't realize that uploading photos in the over 3400 pixel range would take up too much space on Blogger's (Picasa) storage of my photos. I edit mine now to about 500 pixels on my printer's photo editor. (This can also be done on one of the external photo services.) I then click on the "Large" option. For larger photos, I up the pixel size. I don't know if Blogger allows huge photos in posts, as my 3400 range photos were never huge. You might want to check out Blogger's help center. But remember that photos with more pixels take longer to load.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful flower Phillip. I'm so ready for spring and summer!
ReplyDeleteI have one also! It blooms in April here in Michigan.
ReplyDeleteI love Star Magnolia and my experience has been opposite. Great shows 10 out of 12 years. I guess there is a little benefit from living up north.
ReplyDeleteI stumbled upon your blog while trying to identify a flowering tree. I actually linked your blog in my post as well. I think you may enjoy the photo I took.Your post was a great help to me. Thank you.I am over at http://www.longislanddailyphoto.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteI like your blogs name-I feel the same way about gardening!