Skip to main content

Featured

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
Post a Comment
Read more
Labels

Hydrangea "Angel's Lace"



Another new line of hydrangeas is the "Halo" series. They were originally bred in Japan in the early 90s by Hiroshi Ebihara and later marketed in Europe as the "Frau" series. Now they are available here in the U.S. with names like "Angel Eyes" and "Angel Smile". We have "Angel's Lace" and it is quickly becoming one of our favorites.

Described as the first picoteed lacecap in the world (that is when the flower color has one basic color with a margin of another color), it is bred to be compact with sturdier limbs and larger flowers. It is marketed as being suitable for containers. It can grow to be 4 to 5 feet so it is certainly fine in the ground, as ours is. It is very hardy (to zone 6). So far, this has been a spectacular addition to the garden and one that I would highly recommend.

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
Email Post
Labels:

Comments

  1. GrannaJune 3, 2010 at 4:37 AM

    I love it!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Lisa at GreenbowJune 3, 2010 at 4:44 AM

    That bloom is unusual with the white edge around the bloom.

    ReplyDelete
  3. JenJune 3, 2010 at 5:17 AM

    does it have any fall color in the leaves?

    ReplyDelete
  4. BenJune 3, 2010 at 5:38 AM

    The white edge is awesome, and really makes the bloom pop

    ReplyDelete
  5. Dave@TheHomeGardenJune 3, 2010 at 5:58 AM

    Nice!

    ReplyDelete
  6. GinnyJune 3, 2010 at 6:01 AM

    It's beautiful. I adore hydrangeas and it's great to learn about these.

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousJune 3, 2010 at 6:41 AM

    It's a keeper.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Roses and LilacsJune 3, 2010 at 7:10 AM

    Absolutely beautiful. What I wouldn't give to be able to grow lacecaps.
    Marnie

    ReplyDelete
  9. F CameronJune 3, 2010 at 2:34 PM

    Hot pink--love the 'halo' on the edges, too!

    ReplyDelete
  10. DavidJune 3, 2010 at 2:51 PM

    Absolutely stunning! Can't wait to see it in person.

    ReplyDelete
  11. KynaJune 4, 2010 at 6:40 AM

    I love picoteed flowers. That lacecap is so pretty!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Monica at Garden JunkiesJune 4, 2010 at 7:54 AM

    Hydrangeas are one of my favorite shrubs, mostly because of the gorgeous blooms. So it's nice to see a completely different look in a lacecap - that white edge sets off the bold pink beautifully. I bet it stands out in the garden like no other! Yet another plant I'll have to track down and add to the garden....

    ReplyDelete
  13. AnonymousJune 4, 2010 at 5:47 PM

    Phillip I have heard of this series but never saw them. Stunning!! Keep those hydrangea shots coming.
    Sandra

    ReplyDelete
  14. debsgardenJune 4, 2010 at 8:33 PM

    Beautiful! This is one i would like to add to my own garden. it is quite interesting.

    ReplyDelete
  15. compost in my shoeJune 4, 2010 at 9:20 PM

    And what about powdery mildew on the foliage. Many of these have major problems with this leaf problem.

    ReplyDelete
  16. WayneJune 5, 2010 at 7:37 PM

    Awesome! But of course........only zone 6. I'm barely a 5......

    ReplyDelete
  17. GailJune 6, 2010 at 4:16 AM

    Phillip, You are surely increasing the sale of hydrangeas everywhere! This one is stellar! gail

    ReplyDelete
  18. How It GrowsJune 6, 2010 at 7:14 PM

    Nice...I haven't seen that variety before.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Rob (ourfrenchgarden)June 7, 2010 at 8:27 AM

    The comments say it all. Beautiful shrub.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Roses and LilacsJune 7, 2010 at 2:35 PM

    Absolutely beautiful!!! Love the white outlines around the petals.
    Marnie

    ReplyDelete
  21. Catherine@AGardenerinProgressJune 7, 2010 at 5:05 PM

    It's beautiful, I love the color.

    ReplyDelete
  22. AnonymousJune 8, 2010 at 4:32 PM

    Okay Phillip, how long do we have to wait for more hydrangeas?

    ReplyDelete
  23. Chandramouli SJune 12, 2010 at 11:00 AM

    Whoa! I never knew Hydrangeas come in so many colors! I learnt a lot about them from your posts on Hydrangeas. Thank you :)

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular Posts