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Japanese Maples Fall Color

'Skeeter's Broom' is the most colorful maple in our garden. I have just returned from a 2-week trip to Japan. This was my first ever trip outside the United States. It was an amazing experience and one I will never forget. Japan was wonderful - they really have their act together and I think the U.S. could learn a few things from them. There was one disappointment on the trip - the fall color had barely begun there and was really just beginning as we left. That is okay because the gardens were still spectacular, and I got a nice shot of fall color when I got back. 'Ryusen' I missed a few things - our ginkgo had just turned a glorious color the day before I left, and the leaves were gone by the time I got back.  'Sango-Kaku' I came home to many leaves on the ground but still a lot on the trees. 'Osakazuki', a beautiful red maple always changed color very late and therefore doesn't usually last long. When I left there was no color but a few remaini
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Wildflowers blooming in the woods

I will be leaving soon on a 10-day trip to a place I've always wanted to visit - the Pacific Northwest (Portland). Everybody keeps telling me that I will not want to return home. That is probably true - a climate where heat and humidity are rare, liberal politics prevail and uber-religious people are the minority - that sounds like paradise to me. But, sometimes you just have to live and endure with what you've got.

As enticing as Portland sounds and I'm sure it will be, I was on the property where I grew up yesterday and thought to myself, "The Alabama woods are pretty darn beautiful!" Sure, the heat, chiggers and ticks are a constant battle but I really love this property. Sadly, I've never paid much attention to the flora that inhabit these woods until recently. I am astounded by the number of wildflowers that are blooming. 

The Indian Pink (Spigelia marilandica) seems to be the most prolific at the moment. It is everywhere on the property.  

Also prolific is the Bellflower (Campanula americana) - at least this is what I think it is - it is all over the place as well.  No complaints however!







Blephilia ciliata (Downy Woodmint)

 
Wild Petunia (Ruella caroliniensis)

Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta).

And here are a few wildflowers that I don't know the identify of - if you have any ideas, please let me know.
Unknown


Unknown

Unknown

 
The creek


 
Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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  1. CarolJune 3, 2013 at 1:41 PM

    Very nice. I love the creek. I would go wading in it every day. Have a great trip. I'm off to the west coast also in a few days to California.

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  2. LaurrieJune 3, 2013 at 2:26 PM

    Your photos are stunning, and the creek looks so cool and enticing.

    But it is the Indian Pink, the spigelia, that steals my heart, and your pictures are tantalizing. I saw a beautiful stand blooming in the woods in Massachusetts. I have tried twice to grow it, and now, on my third try, I hope to see those pretty red and yellow flowers. Your post is giving me good karma for this latest try!

    Enjoy the PNW.

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  3. AlisonJune 3, 2013 at 4:36 PM

    Oh, I think you will love it here in the PNW. Are you going to be looking up any of the Portland bloggers? It looks like we are going to be having some great weather while you're here too.

    I think that first flower, the yellow one, is a Verbascum.

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  4. JenJune 3, 2013 at 4:36 PM

    Have a great trip and take lots of pictures to share with us!

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  5. Phillip OliverJune 3, 2013 at 5:27 PM

    Hi Alison, this trip came up so fast that I haven't made many plans. I have been in contact with Scott at Rhone St. Garden and I'm planning on visiting him. If you have any suggestions, let me know!

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  6. sharonJune 3, 2013 at 6:06 PM

    wildflowers are the best surprise..

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  7. GailJune 3, 2013 at 6:06 PM

    Phillip, Hello! I think you'll love it out there and I can't wait to hear about your trip. As for the unknown wildflowers~First I think the one labeled Heal All is Blephilia ciliata (Downy Woodmint) and the last unknown is a penstemon, not sure which one though. Checking on the small bells and nothing yet! Don't you think the beautiful blue flowers look like delphiniums of some kind....gosh they're beauties. gail

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  8. Phillip OliverJune 3, 2013 at 6:13 PM

    Oh thanks Gail!

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  9. Anne BoykinJune 4, 2013 at 5:54 AM

    Hi Phillip, For all the reasons you mentioned, you will love the PacNW. Your wildflowers are lovely. Have a great trip and bring back pictures to share.

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  10. NicJune 4, 2013 at 5:56 AM

    Lovely! Such intense colors on the Indian pinks.

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  11. outlawgardenerJune 4, 2013 at 6:01 AM

    You'll love Portland Phillip! I hope you have a great trip and decide to move out west! Washington is pretty sweet, too and on Puget Sound, we get even less heat and humidity than Portland!

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  12. debsgardenJune 4, 2013 at 6:47 AM

    I love woodland wildflowers! How I wish I had a creek like that on my property! You will enjoy your trip to Portland! One of my sons lives there, and the climate is perfect for plants. If you get a chance, you must tour the Columbia River gorge area, as well as at least part of the Oregon coast. The Oregon Garden, about 60 miles out of Portland, is also a great place to visit.

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  13. AnonymousJune 4, 2013 at 8:17 AM

    Phillip, these are lovely! Do you have "Wild Flowers of North Alabama"? It isn't 100% for finding everything here, but it does help. I'm not certain, but I believe your yellow flowers are Mullein. Is the base of the plant growing in a gray, fuzzy looking rosette?

    We once made plans (over a year ago) for me to come visit your gardens in the fall. Things happened and I'm sorry I never got back to you. Anyway, as it turns out, we are moving to the mountains in Tuscumbia and that makes it much closer, and easier for me to come by if your invitation is still open.

    Lynda

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  14. Cerberus German shepherdsJune 4, 2013 at 2:31 PM

    I love wildflowers...I like any flower I didn't have to plant, screen, mulch, feed, water...etc

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  15. LarryJune 4, 2013 at 5:05 PM

    I'm checking out this post on my ipad and am amazed at how beautiful your photos are... Just stunning...Larry

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  16. sherry sJune 5, 2013 at 9:32 AM

    Phillip thanks for identifying the Indian Pink. We saw some the other day while riding horseback at Seven Springs Lodge. I haven't visited Portland but love Wyoming and Montana. The flora at Glacier Park was simply spectacular.

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  17. Lisa at GreenbowJune 6, 2013 at 6:48 PM

    Fabulous wildlings. You will have so much fun working them into your garden. Have a great time on your trip. Can't wait to see what catches your eye.

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  18. AnonymousJune 7, 2013 at 9:46 AM

    Phillip, green with envy at your upcoming trip as I haven't been to the PNW ever, either. Maybe next year when I retire I can combine it with a trip to see my son in San Francisco.

    But the real reason I wrote was to say what great photos you have of the Spigelia. I have them in my garden too but have never been able to capture them to my satisfaction with my camera. They are so spectacular! And a very unusual color for shade plants.

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  19. Nicole @ Sweet Tea ProperJune 11, 2013 at 6:49 PM

    The flowers in your garden are stunning! Any suggestions for a flower that tolerates full shade?

    Nicole
    http://sweetteaproper.com

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  20. gardenenvyJune 15, 2013 at 9:56 AM

    Nice photos! And you will love Portland. The Japanese and the Chinese gardens are lovely and don't forget Powell's bookstore! The gardening section will keep you there for days. Jeannine

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  21. Casa MariposaJune 16, 2013 at 7:50 PM

    Have fun! Your woods look like a wonderful place to grow up. I think Portland sounds incredible, too. I'm sick of DC politics.

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