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
That is a beautiful hydrangea. I love the deep blue.
ReplyDeleteThe color is beautiful. Nice, big blooms on a relatively compact plant.
ReplyDeleteMarnie
Very nice specimen. I know that aluminum is necessary in the soil to produce blue pigment.
ReplyDeleteI really like these blue hydrangea. I did however see a really tacky display of them which left a bad taste in my mouth. I'm trying to get over it, but it's going to take some time.
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet plant. It looks like a baby Niko blue.
ReplyDeleteIt is a beauty dress in its blue. The compact shrub makes it very appealing for small gardens.
ReplyDeleteYou are torturing me with these gorgeous hydrangea blooms and vignettes! :-)
ReplyDeleteVery nice! I sure with I had more shady spaces for hydrangeas like that. Of course then I'd be providing a deer buffet...
ReplyDeleteYou sure have the touch with the Hydrangeas. The frilly petals are so pretty.
ReplyDeleteThe concrete steps would add alkalinity to the soil which would turn the blooms pink. That is our problem in So. Cal. with highly alkaline water, we can't get those beautiful blue bloom like you do. It is lovely!
ReplyDeleteYour hydrangea looks perfect by the steps and birdbath. I like hydrangeas planted along a path, so I can enjoy the blossoms close-up as I walk past. I am planning to add more hydrangeas to a path which already has several varieties. I will keep this one in mind!
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