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
yum! yum! I will have to give it a try. Michael looks very pleased with his birthday cake!
ReplyDeletePhillip,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this recipe, and here's hoping y'all have a very Happy Valentine's Day!
Jon at Mississippi Garden
Oh Yummmmmm! Now I am hungry.
ReplyDeleteDebbie
A belated Happy Birthday Michael. I can see why you like this cake. It looks so delicious.
ReplyDeleteCute photos and yummy recipe.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday to Michael!
ReplyDeleteThe cake looks delicious! I shall try the recipe.
Thanks!
Cameron
Hi Phillip, Two birthdays very close together. Happy Birthday to Michael. The cake looks delicious~~Did you get the Japanese Maple?
ReplyDeleteGail
Happy (a little late) Birthday Michael!!!!! The cake looks wonderful Phillip! Your newly painted gate looks great as well :) Good work! I'm looking forward to seeing your garden this spring and starting some new things in our square foot one. How I wish we had lots of land!!!
ReplyDeleteI just remembered I didn't get back to you about the coupons-sorry-I've totally neglected the blog recently :( The coupons come mainly from the Sunday paper (we get 1 free from work, then I'll buy 1 or more if they have some good coupons, and a couple family members mail us coupons they don't use) but I also print coupons online. People have been asking about this so I'm going to try to post each week about deals and were to get the coupons. Feel free to hold me to that!
I have a friend like that, who prefers salty over sweet. I like both. Say a belated happy birthday to Michael!
ReplyDeleteOh that cake looks yummy! I made up some chocolate covered strawberries yesterday for friends to enjoy. I am going to try that recipe you shared for sure!
ReplyDeleteThe 'Lake' in my yard is starting to subside. It comes and goes very quickly in the spring time. This was an early defrost for us up in Ohio. On Saturday the snow was back. Sometimes the river will over flow like that into our front acreage and freeze making a HUGE 4 acre skating rink! LOVE IT!!!!
Thanks for sharing your fabulous garden. I so look forward to your spring blog.
Warm Wishes... Happy Valentines Day dear garden friend.
Oh my, it's beautiful. Will you bake me one too? ;-)
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday, Michael. That cake sure looks good.~~Dee
ReplyDeleteBelated Happy Birthday to Michael and thanks for the recipe...don't we all get in the mood for a strawberry dessert sometimes? They're so delicious and this one is also so pretty!
ReplyDeleteAnnie at the Transplantable Rose