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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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Chrysanthemum "Ryan Gainey"

This plant used to reside next to the walk near the front door but it suffered from too much shade. After the debacle with the cryptomeria, I had more room and moved it here. The additional sun has helped tremendously and it is loaded with blooms and the stems are not stretching for the sun rays.





Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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  1. DarlaOctober 25, 2011 at 11:40 AM

    Beautiful! They do like their vitamin D.

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  2. UnknownOctober 25, 2011 at 1:10 PM

    It seems really happy there. Plants look sooo much better without lanky flower stems.

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  3. Peggy HillOctober 25, 2011 at 2:45 PM

    I know you were sorry to see that big cryptomeria go, but there is always a silver lining.

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  4. GailOctober 25, 2011 at 5:24 PM

    Phillip, I have Ryan Gainey and love the yellow. Your stand looks lovely. gail

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  5. Lisa at GreenbowOctober 26, 2011 at 5:33 AM

    Beautiful blooms. I am glad you found just the right spot for it.

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  6. rebeccaOctober 27, 2011 at 6:07 AM

    Gorgeous!

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  7. CarolOctober 28, 2011 at 11:15 AM

    Beautiful portrait Phillip. How fun to see Ryan immortalized in a flower. It is amazing to see how far reaching his roots have become over the years. I love the many multi petaled composites. I should love to have him in my garden . . . I wonder if it is hardy here.

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  8. InstantSandbagsNovember 7, 2011 at 4:53 AM

    Those are lovely blooms. It must have taken love for those plants to produce such amazing flowering. However, with the unpredictable weather those plants should be protected at all cost and one of the best way is to protect it though an instant sandbags should there strong torrential rain that can flood the your flower beds.

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