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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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Margie's garden

Last week I discovered I had a Hot Plants article due for Alabama Gardener and was totally unprepared and had nothing in mind for it. I was talking to Margie Anderton, who I wrote a garden profile about a few years ago, and asked her if she had anything interesting in her garden right now. She said she had a celosia that was spectacular. I drove out there Friday evening after work to take a look.

This variety of Celosia is called "Flamingo Purple Feather" and Margie was right - it was impressive, standing about 7 feet tall, loaded with magenta blooms and swarming with hummingbirds. I was afraid I was going to be dive bombed while getting the photos. This is a plant I'd love to have in my garden. For more information, look for the plant profile in the Nov./Dec. issue of Alabama Gardener.

Here is a close-up of the blooms. They turn white from the bottom up as
they age which makes a striking contrast.
There were more interesting plants in her garden. This fleece flower shrub (Fallopia japonica 'Variegata') was spectacular and loaded with blooms. I had photographed this plant earlier but had never observed it this time of year.



She had lots of ornamental grasses. I don't know the variety of this one.
A white Angel's Trumpet (brugmansia) in her front entrance garden
This is the prettiest hyacinth bean vine (Lablab purpureus) I've seen this year. We have one but it only has a few blooms on it. Margie's was covered!
Angel Wing begonia (Begonia coccinea)

This is the Chinese Paper Bush (Edgeworthia chrysantha (E. papyrifera), a plant that I covet. I photographed the blooms last winter and, as you can see, the foliage and shape of the shrub is quite attractive.


Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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  1. Lisa at GreenbowSeptember 19, 2011 at 7:59 AM

    Wow a 7' celosia. Not only is it pretty it is dramatic with that height. I will have to remember this one for next summer. That Fleece flower shrub is an invasive plant here. It will grow anyplace under any conditions and go wild. Love that last shrub. It is good looking.

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  2. KMGSeptember 19, 2011 at 10:37 AM

    WOW, and just when I thought I didn't need any more plants! Well I guess "want" would be a better choice of words. That celosia is fabulous!

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  3. DarlaSeptember 19, 2011 at 11:16 AM

    Very nice gardens. I have tall celosia too started from a pack of seeds from the dollar store some years ago. It pops up everwhere, I'll share seeds if you like.

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  4. Patrick's GardenSeptember 19, 2011 at 2:14 PM

    Never seen such a dramatic celosia. You must be doing something great. I also love the dragon's wings begonia. Your garden looks so lush. Nice work.

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  5. aquablueroseSeptember 19, 2011 at 2:22 PM

    How Exquisite!!!

    gerri XXX

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  6. LesSeptember 20, 2011 at 4:32 AM

    The celosia reminds me of a variety called 'Flamingo Feathers', except for the 7' tall part. Do you know if 'Carter's Amazon' seeds around the garden prolifically?

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  7. Peggy HillSeptember 20, 2011 at 7:22 AM

    I’m looking forward to reading more about that celosia in the magazine. Beautiful!

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  8. EveSeptember 20, 2011 at 8:13 PM

    These are all so beautiful. That Hyacinth Bean is stunning! I need to make a list of those good end of summer plants to try to look out for Phillip. My yard is suffering from lack of rain and color!

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  9. UnknownSeptember 22, 2011 at 11:07 AM

    The tall Celosia looks like the perfect solution for a long back fence I have. I tried to google Carter's Amazon for information and seed but no luck. I wonder if you meant Cramer's Amazon which looks to be the same? Can you tell me over what period they will bloom? They are obviously still spectacular in late summer and early fall but I wonder when they begin to bloom. If these are colorful over a long season they would be a great solution for my back fence.

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  10. Phillip OliverSeptember 22, 2011 at 11:46 AM

    Thanks Bill, I goofed. It IS "Cramer's Amazon" not Carter.

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  11. Rosedale GardenSeptember 24, 2011 at 6:41 AM

    I've never had the pleasure of visiting Margie's garden. Hope to at some point. I have 3 angel trumpets that haven't bloomed yet. Do they need to be a certain age? All were small when I planted them and keep growing taller each year, but no blooms yet. Mary

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  12. Tatyana@MySecretGardenSeptember 24, 2011 at 7:17 AM

    Hi Phillip! You showed me several plants that are unknown to me. What beauties!

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