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
Beautiful! My Angel Trumpets are no where near that far along.
ReplyDeleteWhen I see big ole plants of Angel Trumpets it reminds me of a trip we took to Trinidad. It was the first time I ever remembered seeing the plant. They seemed so exotic. Now it seems everyone is growing them. Yours is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI had one of these in my backyard in California. I tried to grow one here and then our big winter snow came and ate it right up. I guess I need to try again. How did yours survive? ~ Lynda
ReplyDeleteHi Lynda. I used to always dig mine up and bring it into the basement for the winter. However, many years ago I left it in the ground and mulched it heavily. It has survived for years. Our winters are usually pretty mild though. A really cold freeze could do them in.
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful pairing! I have friend who is attempting to grow crepe myrtle in our climate... I think he has gotten it through a couple years but of course it behaves like an herbaceous perennial... it is going to bloom this year however... My brugsmansias are very shy on bloom this year for some reason... never had that situation before... they are in full sun however and that may be part of the problem. Larry
ReplyDeleteMy Angel's Trumpet has done nothing the past three years. It gets about a foot and a half tall and refuses to grow any further. I don't know if you remember or not, but it use to get huge.
ReplyDeleteMine has outgrown his pot and is not going to flower. I'm not sure what to do with him, because the next sized pot is out of the question too big. hmmm.
ReplyDeletewowzer! Love the Angel's trumpet, but, this summer, I've realized I adore the deeper colored crapemyrtles. gail
ReplyDeleteI like how the yellow of the angel's trumpet cuts the pink a little.
ReplyDeleteJust stunning!
ReplyDeleteThis has been a great year so far for Angel Trumpets in our area. I guess we have had enough rain to push them into bloom, twice so far.
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