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
1 comment
Read more
Labels

Early blooming magnolias

Star Magnolia (Magnolia stellata)



Saucer Magnolia "Rustic Rubra" (Magnolia × soulangeana)


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

Comments

  1. GrannaMarch 2, 2011 at 9:27 AM

    Just beautiful! Are these the ones we also call tulip trees? The Bradford Pears are bloomed out all over here and it's gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  2. DarlaMarch 2, 2011 at 10:09 AM

    Love the blooms of the Japanese Magnolias, they are all over our downtown area.

    ReplyDelete
  3. SheilaMarch 2, 2011 at 10:26 AM

    Beautiful! Makes me want to find a spot for a magnolia!

    ReplyDelete
  4. UnknownMarch 2, 2011 at 10:52 AM

    Note to self: Add a magnolia tree already! Absolutely beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  5. MashaMarch 2, 2011 at 12:44 PM

    Beautiful! They are blooming here too, spring must be coming:-).

    ReplyDelete
  6. JessMarch 2, 2011 at 1:10 PM

    They are out in spades here as well. Just lovely along with the redbuds and flowering cherries. More pink trees than green at the moment.

    ReplyDelete
  7. UnknownMarch 2, 2011 at 5:43 PM

    These are FABULOUS! Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  8. sweetbayMarch 2, 2011 at 5:57 PM

    Beautiful! I love the close-ups.

    Here they get zapped by freezes half the time.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Phillip OliverMarch 2, 2011 at 6:07 PM

    Granna, the Saucer Magnolia is often called Tulip Tree (it is the pink one).

    ReplyDelete
  10. Annie in AustinMarch 2, 2011 at 6:46 PM

    They're so lovely, Phillip!
    My neighbors' Saucer magnolia is in bloom just over the fence so I get to see the flowers and my podocarpus is mulched with pale pink petals.

    Saw a tweet from Roger Ebert that today is the birthday of Jennifer Jones and immediately thought of you!

    Annie at the Transplantable Rose

    ReplyDelete
  11. serial tillerMarch 2, 2011 at 8:11 PM

    I'm having magnolia envy! Love looking at yours. Noticed today my Alabama Snow Wreath is leafing out! Can't wait to see it bloom.

    ReplyDelete
  12. AnonymousMarch 2, 2011 at 8:28 PM

    Mine are a little behind yours. Just starting to break out. Fringe trees will be next. I have a meditation circle made with star magnolias around a sugar maple with a tulip magnolia at the head. Can't wait until they are large enough to really put on a show.

    ReplyDelete
  13. meemsnycMarch 2, 2011 at 9:55 PM

    I love magnolias, the smell is intoxicating, so good. I love the hot pink ones, gorgeous.

    ReplyDelete
  14. EveMarch 3, 2011 at 4:39 AM

    Ah Spring! Thanks Phillip.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Lisa at GreenbowMarch 3, 2011 at 4:55 AM

    This really looks like spring to me Phillip. Simply beautiful. My Magnolia only has those fat fuzzy buds as yet. These photos make me anxious to see more.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Sharon LovejoyMarch 3, 2011 at 11:14 AM

    GLORIOUS!

    Thank you. This rejuvenates so many spirits.

    All joys to you,

    Sharon Lovejoy Writes from Sunflower House and a Little Green Island

    Love the rustic gazebo!

    ReplyDelete
  17. ConnorMarch 3, 2011 at 11:24 AM

    So jealous that your Saucer Mag is already showing off. I have at least 1 more week! I have 2 and think my dogs my have killed one over the winter. We will see shortly!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Nell JeanMarch 3, 2011 at 4:03 PM

    Lovely. Mine are blooming too. I like the way there is one or two at first, then the whole tree explodes.

    ReplyDelete
  19. LolaMarch 3, 2011 at 6:41 PM

    I have a magnolia that was given to me & I don't know the name. It is more like a bush but is in bloom now.
    How can I tell what kind it is?

    ReplyDelete
  20. Phillip OliverMarch 3, 2011 at 8:34 PM

    Lola, can you send me a photo of it?

    ReplyDelete
  21. AnonymousMarch 4, 2011 at 7:34 PM

    Phillip I drove by your place to take a picture of the saucer magnolia at the old house on the corner of pine. I can't decide to post it or the one at Locust Hill on my next post on GRIT. Do you know the name of the home? I see you are still having problems with the trashy neighbor. Mary

    ReplyDelete
  22. Phillip OliverMarch 4, 2011 at 8:47 PM

    Mary, are you referring to the big white house just up the street from me? That is Mapleton.

    Affirmative on the neighbors, its just something that will never go away, unfortunately.

    ReplyDelete
  23. AnonymousMarch 5, 2011 at 8:27 AM

    Yes, Mapleton, thanks. It something how you can go by something every work day and not remember a name on the sign. I got a nice picture of the tree with the house behind it. I wanted to take some pictures of my daffs to post on my blog, but every time I grab my camera and open the door it starts raining. I have trashy neighbors who can't take their fast food containers home up the road & dump them off the bridge over the dry creek. It either blows into my yard or gets caught in the tree roots along the creek or washes down to spring creek and to the river.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular Posts