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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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Bringing in the Angel Trumpets

To help work off those extra Thanksgiving pounds, Michael and I spent most of the day yesterday in the garden. He blew the leaves and I worked on getting the Angel Trumpets, Lantana Tree and Dragonwing Begonias into the basement. Actually, we have already had two slight frosts but I don't think they were harsh enough to kill the plants.

In the past, I've left the ones in the ground and mulched them heavily and they were fine the next year. Last year, however, was a hard winter and they all died. I decided not to take a chance this year. We only have two in the ground, one in the corner of the vegetable garden in a raised planter and the other by the garden wall.




Only one Angels Trumpet in a container on the patio. Next spring, this one is getting a heavier pot because I've spent most of the year picking this one up off the ground.



After digging the one in the vegetable garden out, I pruned it back to the "Ys", then placed it in a large plastic container and added soil to cover the roots.




The patio plant only required minimal pruning. I removed all the leaves by hand. This helps prevent disease from spreading during the dormant phase.


The Dragon Wing begonias were still quite nice. In the past, I've let them succumb but several readers told me earlier that they be overwintered. I cut them back and moved them to the basement as well.






I transported them to the basement and watered them well. I'll only water a few times during the winter. Now the long rest until next spring.

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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  1. DarlaNovember 26, 2011 at 2:27 PM

    Trying to get those thanksgiving calories moving myself.

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  2. Lisa at GreenbowNovember 26, 2011 at 2:43 PM

    Seeing your huge angel wing begonias makes me realize that I want some next year. They are gorgeous and I have even overwintered them before. I don't have a basement or any good place to overwinter plants. I bring a few in. They always get leggy and look awful.

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  3. F CameronNovember 26, 2011 at 6:23 PM

    You're more dedicated than me! I'm sure your efforts will be rewarded for overwintering.

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  4. NicNovember 26, 2011 at 7:05 PM

    Yay for overwintering! Living in Michigan and Massachusetts it always breaks my heart a little when I see how many angel trumpets, dipladenias, hibiscus, and other tender shrubs are left to die in the cold each fall...

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  5. Rosedale GardenNovember 27, 2011 at 6:02 AM

    I dug mine up before my knee surgery a couple of weeks ago. Next year I think they will go in pots instead of the ground to make it easier to bring in. Phillip I'd like to borrow a cutting off of your begonia. I didn't let the crutches stop me from getting ready for next spring. Burpee has a sale until midnight 11-27, put TENOFF at checkoff for $10 off. I ordered heirloom tomato seeds, a pink annabelle & Beni hydrangea, Lenton Rose called Stained Glass and a new cone flower called Double scoop raspberry. Mary

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  6. debsgardenNovember 27, 2011 at 3:37 PM

    I have too many chores yet undone in the garden. I am reminded I must move some plants in tomorrow, as frost is headed this way! Your angel wing begonias are gorgeous. I had one several years ago that was not nearly as impressive as yours.

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  7. AnonymousDecember 1, 2011 at 9:28 AM

    Phillip, I have always left the Angel Trumpets in the ground (zone 7B) but cut a few stems that I keep in water over the winter. They form roots and then I plant them. I don't think we have lost any so far, but we keep adding and sharing.
    Happy Holidays!

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  8. JessDecember 2, 2011 at 3:39 PM

    I am so lazy that even though mine is in a pot I don't bring it in. If I did I'm sure it would bloom a whole lot earlier each year. I am totally defeating why I put it in a pot in the first place!

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  9. zhiJanuary 8, 2012 at 2:22 AM

    Hello. I am a Chinese. I live in uk now. I like your garden very much.

    ReplyDelete

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