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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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Blackberry Lily


Blackberry Lily (Belamcanda chinensis)
(aka Leopard Flower)


Hardy to Zone 4
Bloom Time - June through August
Color - Orange or yellow with red/brown spots
Foliage - Narrow sword like blades (similar to iris)
Size - 1-3 ft.
Exposure - Full sun or partial shade

Culture - This short-lived perennial has dried seed capsules that split to reveal clusters of black seeds which resemble blackberries. The plant is actually a member of the iris family. It grows wild along roadsides and in rocky woods. In the garden, the vivid orange blooms look good next to delicate foliage plants like Russian sage, baby's breath or yarrow. It grows well in average soil and full sun or partial shade. The vibrant color of the blooms will be prolonged if given afternoon shade. You can expect the plant to self sow or collect the seeds and distribute them in the fall. Native to China and Japan where the dried rhizomes are used medicinally.
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  1. ZoëJuly 25, 2008 at 8:19 AM

    I would certainly give that room in my garden; wonderful photo.

    Zoë

    ReplyDelete
  2. Lisa at GreenbowJuly 25, 2008 at 8:40 AM

    I have some growing by a Russian Sage plant. I didn't know it was widely known as a good place for them. It happened quite by accident here no doubt. I have never heard them called leopard plants either. Interesting.

    ReplyDelete
  3. SkeeterJuly 25, 2008 at 9:31 AM

    That is a beautiful lily!
    Reminds me of a delicate orchid for some reason...

    ReplyDelete
  4. ~LaurieJuly 25, 2008 at 9:41 AM

    I had a picture of this lily on my blog a few weeks ago. I didn't know what it was. Tina from In the Garden blog, told me it was a Blackberry Lily. Sometimes my neighbor plants things in my garden to surprise me. He is away on vacation for a few weeks, so I have not been ablr to ask him if it was him. Thank you for posting the info on it.

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousJuly 25, 2008 at 11:53 AM

    I can't believe your blackberry Lily is already blooming. Mine do not even have a hint that a bloom is coming. Isn't is strange how things can flower in one area weeks before one farther south?

    Jan
    Always Growing

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  6. GailJuly 26, 2008 at 5:51 AM

    Phillip, it's one of my favorite plants...I love how the little flower curls up after blooming! I have it in yellow and orange... ut haven't seen the yellow yet...I will look for it now!

    gail

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  7. Phillip OliverJuly 26, 2008 at 5:57 AM

    Thanks all! Skeeter, it does look like an orchid, doesn't it?

    Gail, I've never seen the yellow in person. They sell it here - http://www.lazyssfarm.com/Plants/Perennials/B%20files/B_images/belamcanda_hello_yellow.htm

    I've ordered from this nursery and they have nice, healthy plants.

    ReplyDelete
  8. EveJuly 27, 2008 at 5:48 PM

    It is a show stopper. I think these would look good at the back of my shed. We get strong morning sun there but shade in the afternoon. I might give a try. Thanks for the info.

    ReplyDelete
  9. WayneJuly 28, 2008 at 4:51 AM

    Now how wierd, I just took a pic of mine yestersay, to post later this week! They are pretty aren't they?

    ReplyDelete
  10. tinaAugust 5, 2008 at 11:51 AM

    It looks a bit like toad lilies doesn't it? I tried it once but had no luck. Urrr. Sure is pretty.

    ReplyDelete

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