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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
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Irene & Jim Fowler's garden in Greenhill



Irene Fowler is an artist, as anyone might guess while strolling through her exquisite woodland garden. Like Pam Harper, she is a master at combining plants in striking combinations that accentuate form, texture and color. I had a field day photographing her garden because at every turn I would find perfect visual vignettes.

The garden lies in a patch of trees behind the Fowler's house. They also garden in the areas surrounding their house, sunnier areas with less trees, but the woodland garden is an extraordinary treat. The Fowler's garden is often featured on garden tours. If you have the chance to see it, do it! It was well worth the drive (they live in the rural Greenhill community).



































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  1. CarolNovember 3, 2010 at 1:03 AM

    Congratulations Phillip! Gorgeous photos of an amazing garden. Is the Magazine online? ;)

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  2. Tallulah's Antique ClosetNovember 3, 2010 at 1:28 AM

    That is a beautiful garden! thanks for sharing....Julian

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  3. Rob (ourfrenchgarden)November 3, 2010 at 1:39 AM

    Well done Phillip!

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  4. DarlaNovember 3, 2010 at 3:38 AM

    Congrats for sure! What a great area they have created..

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  5. Lisa at GreenbowNovember 3, 2010 at 4:25 AM

    Congrats on the Cover billing. Wow with photos like these I can see how it was such a hit. I would love to see this garden.

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  6. AnonymousNovember 3, 2010 at 4:28 AM

    Way to go, Phillip! Any of the photos were cover quality, but I love the one they chose. That is a gorgeous garden, almost as nice as your own. :-)
    Frances

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  7. LesNovember 3, 2010 at 4:31 AM

    Congratulations, that is quite the accomplishment.

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  8. The Redneck RosarianNovember 3, 2010 at 4:33 AM

    Great work!

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  9. F CameronNovember 3, 2010 at 5:59 AM

    Congratulations! What beautiful photos you took of the gardens.

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  10. Sweet Home and Garden CarolinaNovember 3, 2010 at 6:10 AM

    Stunning photos of the garden. Love the design of the woodland garden as well - it looks so natural and lovely.

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  11. Gardener on Sherlock StreetNovember 3, 2010 at 8:58 AM

    Beautiful garden. Thanks for sharing the photos. Congrats on making the cover!

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  12. Mother Nature's Garden EvolutionNovember 3, 2010 at 9:01 AM

    Congratulations! It is a beautiful garden.

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  13. GailNovember 3, 2010 at 11:32 AM

    That's a beautiful cover shot Phillip! Congrats! The garden is lovely~and as Frances said~almost as nice as your! gail

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  14. Pam/DiggingNovember 3, 2010 at 12:11 PM

    Congratulations! What a beautiful garden. Your photos are divine. Maybe eventually you can scan a copy of the article to post on your blog for those of us who can't get the magazine?

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  15. Phillip OliverNovember 3, 2010 at 12:24 PM

    Carol, some of the magazine's articles are online (google Alabama Gardener) but mine isn't.

    Frances, most of these photos are the ones they didn't use.

    Thanks everybody!

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  16. Jeff VandiverNovember 3, 2010 at 12:40 PM

    You're the man, Phillip! Wow, their garden is beautiful!

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  17. debsgardenNovember 3, 2010 at 9:25 PM

    Fantastic! I'm off to find a copy of the magazine tomorrow! That garden is an inspiration to me.

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  18. AnonymousNovember 4, 2010 at 6:08 AM

    Oh my gosh, what a beautiful garden! Congratulations on your article! I'd love to see this garden sometime. Rebecca

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  19. C. C.November 4, 2010 at 7:14 AM

    If those are the photos that were NOT included, I can only imagine the beautiful ones that WERE. I'm going to try to find a copy of this magazine -- your article/photos will give me some ideas for my own woodland garden. Lovely!

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  20. Phillip OliverNovember 4, 2010 at 7:30 AM

    Most of the photos they used in the article were the wider shots, which is what they prefer. I thought some of the best ones were the closer shots though.

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  21. sweetbayNovember 4, 2010 at 9:02 AM

    Contratulations Phillip! What a gorgeous garden and beautiful shots!

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  22. NicNovember 4, 2010 at 11:46 AM

    Congratulations and thank you for sharing the extra pictures!

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  23. AnonymousNovember 4, 2010 at 3:03 PM

    Phillip, congratulations!! That is one peaceful and fabulous garden. Since I cannot get the magazine I do hope you will share the article on your blog.
    Your photos are first rate!! BTW what is that lovely little white spike flowering with what I assume to be Phlox divericata?
    xsxs

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  24. AnonymousNovember 5, 2010 at 8:27 AM

    Beautiful! Where can I find that magazine in Florence? Would Books-a-million carry it?

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  25. Phillip OliverNovember 5, 2010 at 9:12 AM

    Sandra, I will see what I can do about posting the article.

    Hasuko, yes, Books-A-Million carries it or at least they did the last time I checked.

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  26. Annie in AustinNovember 8, 2010 at 8:15 AM

    What a dreamy garden, Phillip - and your photos make the viewer want to be there. Congratulations on being the cover story!

    Annie at the Transplantable Rose

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  27. scottweberpdxNovember 10, 2010 at 2:16 PM

    congratulations...looks like an amazing garden...love those wooded garden photos

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  28. SheilaNovember 11, 2010 at 8:04 AM

    Oh!!! Those photos are just too beautiful! Congratulations. I am going to bookmark this post and revisit often! When is your book coming out?

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  29. EveNovember 22, 2010 at 4:00 PM

    Wow this is a beautiful garden! I'll be looking for the magazine.

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  30. debsgardenDecember 7, 2010 at 8:21 PM

    I finally got my hands on one of these magazines. It was the last one at Petals From the Past in Jemison. Fabulous garden! Your article is well written, and the photos are great. I see things I want to implement in my own woodlands. I also enjoyed reading your other article in the same issue, as well as the rest of the magazine. I am going to order a subscription!

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  31. EveDecember 18, 2010 at 12:58 PM

    Got the magazine yesterday Phillip! Wonderful article, beautiful photos! I will have to put a note to visit the Fowler Garden for sure!

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