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 photographs are amazing. Very clear! I like the foliage shot of the caladium.
ReplyDeleteI love the title of your blog--bet that's how many of your readers decompress after a hard day/night/week. You seem to be a little ahead of us (I'm in Virginia)--my crocosmia is just about to bloom. How do you keep it in check, by the way? I love it, but the clumps triple in size every year, and I have trouble finding the right spots for it . .
ReplyDeleteCosmo (at cosmosgarden.blogspot.com)
Sorry about the duplicate post, everyone. I'm a novice blogger, and I was trying to fix a typo.
ReplyDeleteThe crocosmia is wonderful. I've tried three times to grow it and every single time something happens to destroy the plants before they bloom. We'll be trying it again soon when the new side bed goes in, maybe we will succeed next summer.
ReplyDeleteBEAUTIFUL photos Phillip!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your tips & comment about our little garden :) I will keep it well watered. We'll see what happens, I'm hopeful :D Thanks so much for the book too. I have a bit more to read and then I'll give it to Andy to bring to you. Oh, I don't remember off the top of my head but I'll get the name of the pink flowers, I have it somewhere....
Have a great day, I hope you get great weather on Friday, when you can enjoy it! We are heading to TN to visit Andy's parents and I think possibly GA to visit his sister as well. He's taking Thursday off too, so it will be a mini-vacation :)
Thanks, I'm checking it out now!
ReplyDeleteWow, those pics are amazing..I love foliage plants...
ReplyDeleteUH-oh
You have been tagged. Please visit my blog if you would like to play along ;)
Or just come for a vist.
Fabulous photos! Really gorgeous...
ReplyDeleteRemember, it builds good upper body strength to drag those hoses around!
Gail
Very nice shots, have you changed cameras, or the way you post? I tend to agree with Cosmo on the Crocosmia, it is invasive for me, but it does pull up easily where it is not wanted.
ReplyDeletevery beautiful and clever!
ReplyDeleteWe, too, have had a day or two of lower humidity and slightly cooler temps, but no rain so I know what you mean about dragging hoses around. I am hoping for rain the weekend. I am luck though, I'm off work so I can enjoy this nice weather. Your garden looks like it is still going strong. Love that coleus - it is my favorite.
ReplyDeletePhillip, we have sprouts! I was so excited and couldn't wait to tell you! Hope you are having a wonderful day :D
ReplyDeleteA visit to your blog is as refreshing as a shower after working in the garden (and also as refreshing to the plants as getting a needed shower from a passing cloud). Great photos and text...I aspire to have a blog as sharp as yours one of these days. That is to say, your blog inspires me to blog better! Have a Happy 4th! Jon in Vicksburg, MS
ReplyDeleteThese photos are looking much like a preview of what I can expect. The crocosmia, black-eyed susan, my red Austin rose that hasn't bloomed yet... Miscanthus, on the other hand, is one of those things that I just love in my neighbors' gardens but can't seem to find a place for in my garden.
ReplyDeletePhillip,
ReplyDeleteHi again...can you tell me if your Plume Poppy is at all aggressive? My sister gave me a bit and I wasn't sure I wanted to plant it. Plume has taken over one of her beds. She has beautiful loamy soil and I have clay will that make any difference?
Gail
Wandered onto your blog by chance. I'm enjoying your beautiful photos!
ReplyDeleteI lived in Huntsville, Al for several years. I miss the long springs and mild winters.
Marnie
Hi Phillip,
ReplyDeleteThe earlier commenters are right - these photos are pretty spectacular, especially the red-and-white lily and variegated leaves.
My crocosmia is budded - could it really become invasive? My clay might slow it down!
Please don't tell me that the plant you are praising (mixed in with the Creeping Jenny) is Asiatic Jasmine. That stuff was well-established in this yard and two adjoining yards when we moved here and it is the bane of my gardening existence. I hate it, hate it, hate it.
Annie at the Transplantable Rose
Great new camera Phillip! Which one is it? I stumbled on your blog from my traffic counter. I'll be back!
ReplyDeleteBy the way - your purple wall is a most fetching structure behind your plantings. I think it really sets off everything else around it.
Phillip, I think the name of that creeping jenny is "goldilocks"
ReplyDelete