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
Lovely contrast in foliage.
ReplyDeleteI love the container. And your pedestal behind it with the ladies!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful...I love the combo! Have you been having rain lately? We've had quite a bit and the plants look happy now!
ReplyDeleteLove it! I do coleus in containers every year. It is one of my favorite container plants. What are some of your tips on keeping it looking so good? When do you pinch it back/trim it? Yours looks so good, I know that you have to have some tricks up your sleeve!!
ReplyDeleteHow pretty! Love the colors.
ReplyDeleteAwesome color - I love that coleus. I am saving it's name so I can add it next year.
ReplyDeleteThese look great together! Coleus is just the most beautiful summer foliage plant.
ReplyDeleteIt does catch your eye, beautiful.
ReplyDeleteHi really like these combinations Phillip~You've got texture, color and different leaf shapes! gail
ReplyDeleteYep, I like this combo. The coleus is such a surprising plant. They look so small in spring and then they take to the heat and humidity and grow large giving such a lovely show with just those leaves.
ReplyDeleteSimple and elegant, I like it. My coleus isn't doing well this year. I've about given up on that container
ReplyDeleteMarnie
I do love Coleus(es?). The colors (and name) of 'Defiance is so vibrant. I actually sowed some Coleus and they turned out great. The recent rains have made my container with them in it double in size (um, the plants, not the container itself, though it would be nice if it could expand alongside!)
ReplyDeleteGranna, we got about 1/2 inch on Monday. Not a lot but it helped.
ReplyDeleteLisa, actually I don't do that much to them except occasionally pinch them back if they start to get too tall. Some years coleus does better than others - last year they didn't do much, this year they are. I don't know how to explain it!
I love coleus. Your's has an award at http://chickenesque.blogspot.com/2010/07/its-been-long-enough-but-i-got-some.html
ReplyDelete~Randy
Really pretty combo. I like how you have it displayed also.I have been following your blog for some time and enjoy your posts.
ReplyDeleteExcellent combination. I like Coleus too. Wonderful foliage for great containers.
ReplyDeleteMmmm, pretty. Love your new background BTW.~~Dee
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