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
Oh how I wish I could I could grow camellias. You really give me zone envy.
ReplyDeleteI always thought Carmelia's were pretty... but like you stated they mostly were thought to be grown in the south. Thank you for sharing this information so that those who leave in colder regions...
ReplyDelete( I currently live Michigan) my have a shot at growing a few.
Wow! What color and hardy too.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beauty! Thank you for sharing
ReplyDeleteI remember the winter of '76/77; the 33 acre lake that we lived on was frozen solid for a month. It's great that there are more cold hardy ones now.
ReplyDeletePhillip,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this info with us camellia lovers. I have one 'April' out in the garden. A little worried about the next two mornings 15 and 16 degrees!
I had 2 camelia's that a friend gave me as a house warming gift. Both tired to bloom in Dec-Jan and as a result never made it to the bloom stage as the cold killed the buds. I got a couple of early spring bloomers from Little Cypress, one a double red called Laura Walker
ReplyDeleteand a white, red stripe one called Lady Vansittart.
OOoooo I am glad to know about this Camellia. I would like to give it a try.
ReplyDeletePhillip, What a lovely camellia and in my favorite color! 'White By The Gate' has had a bad year and will need to be replaced~must find a pretty one to compliment the purple fence! gail
ReplyDeleteI am thankful to Clifford Parks and YOU! I will be sure to do my research to see if I can grow this hardy Camellia. I love them so! They were a part of my childhood. I always love seeing yours Phillip!
ReplyDeleteI would love to have camellias but they do not love our alkaline soil here in Central Texas and west. I will just enjoy your beautiful photos!
ReplyDeleteOh my lands! Are you serious? I have been looking for a Camellia that would be hardy here in my zone 5b/6. I am so glad to hear about this one and will have to find one to plant next spring. I kept saying I was waiting on the grower to develop one that would grow here. LOL! Thanks for the information.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, Michigan can at times get below -20. :-(
ReplyDeleteBut it is beautiful!
I'll have to send that info to my cousin in southern Maine Phillip! That "pink icicle" sure is a beauty!
ReplyDeleteAre you flower lovers. Frankly I have never been such interest.
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