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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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Napping under maples



Someone once expressed a lack of appreciation for Japanese Maples to garden writer Elizabeth Lawrence to which she replied, "Then you have never crawled underneath one on an October day."

Try this sometime - I think she has a valid point.
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  1. F CameronNovember 11, 2008 at 7:20 AM

    Hey Phillip...pretty maple!

    You've got a blogspot crazy word wrap thing around your photo. Happens to me all the time and drives me a bit nutty trying to fix it without publishing it 10 times to see how it really looks (preview is terrible, isn't it).

    If you put the html code for a line break before and after your photo it should fix it. That would be a
    used the same way, before and after.

    Hope this helps.

    ReplyDelete
  2. F CameronNovember 11, 2008 at 7:21 AM

    Of course, it took out my html code for the line break when I put it in my comment!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Phillip OliverNovember 11, 2008 at 7:29 AM

    Thanks Cameron, let me see if I can fix that!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Roses and LilacsNovember 11, 2008 at 8:25 AM

    I love Japanese maples, mostly for the leaves, shape and color. Since they seem to be a favorite of Japanese beetles, I don't grow them. My loss, I know.
    Marnie

    ReplyDelete
  5. F CameronNovember 11, 2008 at 8:46 AM

    Beautiful! Thanks...I really wanted to read what you had to say, too. :-)

    Cheers,
    Cameron

    ReplyDelete
  6. GailNovember 11, 2008 at 9:13 AM

    I love that story.. Gail

    ReplyDelete
  7. Philip BewleyNovember 12, 2008 at 9:27 AM

    I love staring upwards into trees. This would be the perfect spot for a hammock!
    Best ,
    Philip

    ReplyDelete
  8. Digital Flower PicturesNovember 12, 2008 at 6:46 PM

    The colors you have been posting are fantastic.

    ReplyDelete
  9. LesNovember 13, 2008 at 6:50 PM

    Beautiful! If scares me that Marnie says that Japanese beetles eat Japanese Maples. We have both, but fortunately the beetles must prefer other snacks.

    ReplyDelete
  10. tinaNovember 14, 2008 at 3:53 PM

    I simply adore the J. maples. Can't believe anyone would not appreciate them.

    ReplyDelete
  11. CosmoNovember 15, 2008 at 6:43 PM

    I love Japanese maples, too, and your photos are gorgeous. But lying on the ground in October in Virginia?--umm, I'm guessing someone in your household might share my views on that idea. I think dragging out the tarp, the yoga mats and the umbrellas might kind of spoil the moment. Kidding--you've really captured the magic of looking up into trees.

    ReplyDelete
  12. AnonymousNovember 17, 2008 at 6:09 PM

    I love your photography! Would you mind sharing what your equipment is?

    ReplyDelete
  13. Phillip OliverNovember 18, 2008 at 4:28 PM

    Thanks Louise. I have a Nikon D50 with various lenses. I also use Photoshop to tweak color, contrast, etc.

    ReplyDelete

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