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
We have an armandii growing in the gardens at work, which is a zone colder than home. We get into the lower teens out there a couple times each winter and the plant has lived for at least 13 years. So you should be OK.
ReplyDeleteIt's a beauty, Phillip, hope Les is right. I was looking at my journals from last year and see we had a low of 7 degrees about this time. Is that worse than the steady cold we also have had? We shall see in the spring, but right now we need some rain. Warm rain would be good. :-)
ReplyDeleteFrances
I do hope your plants are fine.
ReplyDeleteI have been fretting over my plants from seeing the weather reports from afar. We just returned (after midnight) from vacation. I've not walked the garden today but, from the window, it doesn't look good at all. I'm afraid to look closer!
Cameron
Phillip, we have a thermometer that will give the lowest temps it has recorded and the highest. So far we have 7 degrees and we are only 16 miles from Florence. I hope it doesn't affect my marginal plants too. Sometimes I try and push my zone.
ReplyDeleteJen
I hope it's fine Phillip~~it's a good looking clematis. I've noticed that the camellia's flowers were wiped out by the cold...sigh! gail
ReplyDeleteWe are having a January thaw right now too. I hope you don't have any permanent damage in your garden. It is too early to tell here. It will get cold again no doubt. Hopefully not for as long of a time.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad the bitter cold is on the wane. Back to normal is going to feel like summer!
ReplyDeleteI am ready for spring! Your clematis looks nice and healthy. I was concerned about my tea olives, but they look OK. I like the lattice the armandii is growing on. I am looking forward to seeing spring photos of your garden!
ReplyDeleteOh yes, we got the warm(ish) weather here today and boy did it feel good. I too worried about the length of time we were below freezing. Sounds like your clematis may have no trouble though and I look forward to seeing it this spring. I guess we ALL look forward to some surprises this spring as well!
ReplyDeleteIt is finally warming up here! It was in the mid 50s today...and it felt like a Spring day! I hope you don't lose any plants from the cold!
ReplyDeleteSpring will be nail-biter this year, waiting to see who survived this prolonged cold to emerge victorious from the ground.
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm glad some weather relief has found you, Phillip. I don't know this plant, but I'm optimistic that yours will pull through. I always say plants can't read their care tags and zonal recommendations, so here's hoping...
ReplyDeleteI'm glad your armandii looks like it's pulled through. That's one I've always wanted to add to the garden after seeing it at the JC Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh -- the vanilla fragrance of the flowers is outstanding.
ReplyDeleteThis cold spell has been hard on gardeners over the entire country... or the eastern 2/3 at least. Good luck, I hope you didn't suffer any lasting damage.
ReplyDeleteTemps here are above freezing. We are all ridiculously happy over this small improvement:)
Marnie
I am so glad the frigid temps are moving out and that you will be more back to your norm. Hopefully all of your plants have made it through OK. Lovely glimpse into your world Phillip! Carol
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