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
You do have a plethora of gorgeous hydrangeas. We have been having a wet spring too. I am loving it. So is the garden because everything is growing by leaps and bounds and blooms have been bountiful. Happy first day of summer.
ReplyDeleteThose blooms look lovely! Missing blogging!
ReplyDeleteOh these are so beautiful. My next summer's goal is to clean out the last old flowerbed and put some of these in. I really like the Sister Therese, the white one. She is pretty. What do you do to help them keep their color?
ReplyDeleteI love lacecaps too, but aside from my highbush cranberry (viburnam) I don't have any. I do have Mothlight, Lime Light, Pinky Winkty and a native oakleaf hydrangea. The last three are part of my lawn reduction plan, but it will be a while before they are really pulling there weight.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely adore Hydrangeas...wish I had room for one...especially the lacecaps...they are my fave :-)
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautiful! Love 'Bluebird' and 'Tokoyo Delight'. I have a weak spot for Lacecaps. Many of my hydrangeas are blooming now too....hoping this nice weather last for a while. As always, your photos are outstanding.
ReplyDeleteI can't get over how many hydrangeas you have! I have one, Endless Summer and it is indeed gorgeous with blooms this year. So far, we are having a wet summer too, which is very welcome over the last few dry ones.
ReplyDeleteNow that's what I call a hydrangea collection! How old are the oldest?
ReplyDelete-Ray
I so love all of your hydrangeas Phillip. I have two blue almost purple lace caps, a couple limelight, and a bunch of endless summer. So wonderful to cut and bring into the house for arrangements.
ReplyDeleteRay, I'm guessing that the oldest are 10 years or older. I planted a large number in the beginning and have been adding others over the years.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous Phillip! I especially love the Fugi Waterfall. Speaking of which, I hope you continue to have a wet summer. Are you in Portland, Oregon or Portland, NH ?I am guessing Oregon.
ReplyDeleteCarol, I am back at home in Florence, Alabama. :)
ReplyDeleteI feel like I jinxed it by saying the same thing, Phillip, maybe we'll cancel each other out. I LOVE Charm. And you are making me feel better about how many hydrangeas I'm growing, I'm up to 4 shrubs now. Love your lacecaps too.
ReplyDeleteToo often someone will mention a flower and I'll think, "aww, I don't like it much." And it is almost always because I've only seen one or two varieties. That was the case with Hydrangeas. With these photos, I've changed my mind!
ReplyDeleteIf the end of June marks the end of the rain, you didn't jinx it. Too often our "wet years" only last until the end of June. Then we get all those wonderful sunshine filled days - dry with temps of 100+ for a couple of months.
Hydrangeas are workhorses in the garden. They produce sumptuous petals of color to add beauty to your garden. Most species of hydrangeas can be grown in either full sun or partial shade. They are resistant to most insects and diseases. They can be grown in a wide range of soil but prefer a rich, moist soil and should be planted where watering will not be a problem.
ReplyDeleteWell Phillip...I've decided I need more Hydrangeas!! You really know how to show them off! Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteWhenever I start to lose my love for gardeing I need only look at your blog to become inspired all over again. :0)
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