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
Wow...it already looks great! can't wait to see it unfold
ReplyDeletePhillip how are you keeping your gravel in the path?? It looks marvelous. I wish I could traverse your garden paths, then sit in one of those benches surrounded by your gorgeous roses. Aahhhhh...heavenly just to think of it.
ReplyDeleteIt looks great so far! Have you thought about some sort of edging? I can't wait to see it all complete.
ReplyDeleteDave, I haven't thought about edging but I should probably do that. Do you have any suggestions?
ReplyDeleteLisa, the gravel has been fine so far and we had a huge rainstorm on Saturday. I still should consider an edging.
Phillip,
ReplyDeleteThat's looking fantastic! What does Michael think about everything so far?--Randy
The work you've done so far has really made a difference. That gravel looks great but I would worry about it moving around. I've been on beautiful gravel paths in public gardens but didn't pay any attention if they had them edged.
ReplyDeleteMarnie
Love the movement in your path Phillip... great effect... so lovely really... gosh... what an inviting garden you have.
ReplyDeletehttp://eachlittleworld.typepad.com/each_little_world/
ReplyDeletePhillip I was just visiting this blog when I saw these ideas for edging... you might find it interesting. You will have to scroll down a bit to see this post. Carol
I think this area is going to look so good; it already is an improvement just with the gravel. When I started mulching very shady areas, I couldn't believe how nice it looked, so much better than sparse grass and dirt. I think you have come upon the perfect solution for that shady area.
ReplyDeleteJan
Always Growing
This is going to be fantastic- looks gorgeous already.
ReplyDeletePhilip that looks great -- you have done a LOT of work.
ReplyDeleteI'm excited for you! [jump, jump, boing... jump... boing...]
ReplyDeleteLooks nice! Here, pea gravel is gray; is yours there always beigeish/pinkish? I like it.
ReplyDeleteRandy, Michael loves it. The layout of the paths was his idea.
ReplyDeleteMarnie, I'm going to look at edging and will probably install something.
Carol, thank you for the links. I will check those out.
Thanks Jan, S.A., Chandramouli and Sweetbay.
ReplyDeleteMonica, this gravel is called the "rainbow mix". It is very colorful and pretty. I will take a close up photo and share it later.
It looks fantastic! You have such a beautiful yard, I was looking at everything else in the pictures as well as you new paths.
ReplyDeleteFabulous! Your trees so beautiful they way you have them mult-trunked and limed up. They create a special place for the paths and plantings. Please keep us apprised of your progress.
ReplyDeleteI'm impressed, that's a lot of work to haul all that gravel. How nice it will be stroll along them when the planting is done.
ReplyDeleteCarol, May Dreams Gardens
It looks very clean, pristine, and inviting. Congratulations on such a great look!
ReplyDeleteLooking good!
ReplyDeleteGreat looking project, Phillip. What about bricks for edging?
ReplyDeleteJon
The path just meanders nicely.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful trees!
It's going to work nicely Philip
It's looking wonderful, Phillip. And with the mondo grass it will be fantastic. Congratulations.
ReplyDeleteBarbara H.
Oh, that is so pretty. I love those curving paths. So inviting.~~Dee
ReplyDeleteOh Phillip, it looks magnificent! The winding paths are awesome!
ReplyDelete