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
Wasn't it an awesome day to live in zone 7? I am always thankful for a 70 degree day in February. BTW, looks like all my rose cuttings are doing well...success!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder, Phillip. I need to go out and cut my grasses back now before they start sprouting with all this warm weather.
ReplyDeleteJan
Always Growing
What an awesome day here too. Oh man, I should have got outside & cut my grasses back too. What a great idea! It doesn't usually hit me till I see some growth & it makes such a difference if you get it cut back early.
ReplyDeleteDebbie
I always find cutting back the grasses perfect therapy for winter induced cabin fever. It is like saying "OK spring I am ready for you now.
ReplyDeleteWe are just a couple of weeks behind you in weather up here. This chore is on my list though. Isn't it amazing how this makes the garden seem more spring-like?
ReplyDeletePhillips -- I started cutting yesterday and gave out from working on 11 buddleia. I have 9 more buddleia to do, then cut back the grasses.
ReplyDeleteCameron
Great weather for it! I need to do the same. It's time to get ready spring is on the horizon.
ReplyDeleteI need to do that, too. The weather has been so lovely that I can't drag myself inside, plus there is plenty to do outside.
ReplyDeleteWhack, Whack...and then, suddenly- it looks so bland:(
ReplyDeleteBut soon...there it is, right back again, beautiful as ever;)
We clipped and whacked up here, too, this wkend. I chopped down my buddleia (it looks horrible now) and cut back my carpet roses. Those don't 'need' to be cut back, but the spaces I have for them all is limited. They come back nicely in the summer so I think things will be ok. My husband 'whacked' back the crepe myrtles too...they don't need it either, but there is a limit to the heighth that we can tolerate here. Have a wonderful day:)
Hi Phillip! The weather has been delightful and we've all headed outside to play or clean! I was thinking a garden vacuum would help with the stray pieces of grass that blow everywhere! Your post on Daphnes encouraged me to get a small plant that HD was selling. it smells luscious! gail
ReplyDeleteI use electric hedge trimmers to prune back grasses, but it's still too early for that here. I just like power tools!
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