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
4 comments
Read more
Labels

Gardens on tour

This is a reminder that the Garden Tour is this weekend. The hours are Saturday 9-5 and Sunday 1-5. Tickets are only $5 and can be purchased at any of the gardens on the tour. Once you purchase a ticket at your first garden, you are good to go and your ticket is good for the remainder of the tour.

Also, the State Master Gardener conference is set for Monday-Wednesday, April 15-17. You do not have to be a Master Gardener to attend. Speakers include James Farmer, Erica Glasener, Walter Reeves, Troy Marden, Hayes Jackson, Cindy Shapton, Don Shadow, Dan Spaulding and David Tomlin. Visit the website for more details on the conference.

For the garden tour, in addition to our garden, there are eight other gardens that will be open. I have photographed and written about many of these gardens for Alabama Gardener magazine. They include:
Margie Anderton

Irene Fowler
Tommy Mathis


Dee Hubbert
For a list of all the gardens as well as directions, see my earlier post.

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

Comments

  1. Lisa at GreenbowApril 9, 2013 at 3:28 AM

    OOOoooohhhhhhh. I wish I could attend. Everywhere looks so beautiful and inviting. PLEASE give us a virtual tour as soon as possible.

    ReplyDelete
  2. outlawgardenerApril 9, 2013 at 7:18 AM

    What gorgeous gardens! I too wish that I could attend but, alas, a weekend trip across the country doesn't seem to be in the cards. Looking forward to visiting vicariously though you!

    ReplyDelete
  3. CarolApril 9, 2013 at 8:20 AM

    Hope all goes well and the weather is in your favor! Carol

    ReplyDelete
  4. LarryApril 9, 2013 at 11:39 AM

    Some amazing gardens on your tour... wish we were closer! Larry

    ReplyDelete
  5. sweetbayApril 9, 2013 at 5:48 PM

    That picture of Irene Fowler's garden is incredible.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Rose Petals NurseryApril 9, 2013 at 6:47 PM

    I 2nd Lisa at Greenbow's comment..... magnificent The Gardener looks forward to your post on the tour ☼

    ReplyDelete
  7. David - Pinewood CottageApril 9, 2013 at 7:57 PM

    Wish I lived closer too. What an diverse group of excellent gardens. Hope you have a great turn out.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Phillip OliverApril 10, 2013 at 1:22 PM

    Sweetbay, Irene's garden is wonderful. If you'd like to see more photos of it, see my earlier post - http://phillipoliver.blogspot.com/2010/11/alabama-gardener-cover-story.html

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular Posts