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
I've never ordered from them, but the photos are so inspiring. Lovely.
ReplyDeleteLovely photos. I've never ordered from them, but I've heard of the nursery.
ReplyDeleteI believe your mystery plant (iris-like with yellow flowers along the stem) is Sisyrinchium striatum.
ReplyDelete--Emily
I think Mike, one of the owners, lives in the house with Yowler. You did see the orange tiger cat Yowler, didn't you? He's quite a character. They do have a wonderful display garden. You really have to come to the Fling next year in Portland. You'll learn what all these cool plants are!
ReplyDeleteFor your sake it was a pity they were busy and you couldn't chat with anyone who worked there. I think those white flowers are pretty and they remind me of lilies - upside down lilies but still...
ReplyDeleteI bet you came away from there with a bad case of plant envy.
ReplyDeleteThe delphiniums on the West Coast make me cry. The Blue Himalayan Poppies make me wail.
ReplyDeleteI think your white lily picture is Lilium maragon (Turk's Cap lily). I have wanted to try these but haven't yet. They are supposed to grow in light shade and I have seen pictures of them with hosta.
ReplyDeleteGlad you got to visit this special nursery while you were in the area! I agree with Alison that it would be great to see you at next year's garden bloggers fling in Portland!
ReplyDeleteIt is wonderful to visit nurseries like this. So inspiring. I live near Nasami Farm, the propagation arm of the New England Wildflower Society. Lucky me!
ReplyDeleteCan you tell I grew up in the south? I had NO idea fushias could get shrub sized.... I'm shocked! I have always had plant envy for fushias, so beautiful! Great pictures, looks like you were there at a perfect time for photo ops.
ReplyDeleteThose fuchsias get me every time - so lush, so colorful, so messy as they drop spent blooms on my porch floor. But worth putting up with! What fun to visit a new nursery, Phillip.
ReplyDeleteGood for you! I managed to keep most things alive last year...two of things (out of about 5) that I managed to kill were delphiniums and fushias..I'm in awe.
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