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
Although we do not grow our own, the local ones have been great this year. The last two my wife got nearly ran us out of the house, the smell was so intense.
ReplyDeleteThat's great, Phillip! Better luck with the watermelons next year...
ReplyDeleteCantaloupes are finished here in the farm fields. This one looks perfect. We have the same situation here, in that I like watermelon and my DB likes cantaloupe best. I hope you have better luck next year with your watermelons.
ReplyDeleteNone of our watermelons made, either. The one baby succumbed to blossom end rot. We did get a glorious cantaloupe, though; lucky you to have two! Definitely need more vines next year.
ReplyDeleteWe've had good cantaloupes too. If you smell it, it's ripe. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteWe haven't tried to grow our own cantaloupes yet but the one we bought at our market this week was as big as a watermelon and tasted so good!
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