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
It's nice that the things you planted on your mother's property are doing well. Supposedly there is poison ivy in the pacific northwest but I've never seen any myself, no do we have snakes other than tiny garter snakes and those don't hang out much in town. You'll love it here!
ReplyDeleteNot only does that snake eat insects it will eat small rodents. You should respect him for that. It is a little creepy coming upon them unannounced though. Love seeing how you are incorporating new things into your Mom's property. One of these days you willl be glad you did. I think Bald Cypress is such an elegant tree. It has so much going for it. Lovely foliage, wonderful bark for winter, knees when they get older and the little balls on them in fall. Wonderful.
ReplyDeleteLisa, do you know what kind of snake it is?
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure that is a black rat snake, definitely a beneficial. That one is beautiful! I'm a big fan of snakes.
ReplyDeleteWe have great respect and love for any black snake Phillip. There are those that will hunt down and eat Rattlesnakes. In my book, he's worth keeping close by!
ReplyDeleteCould your mystery plant be a bottlebrush buckeye? I planted one last year and it produced a seed pod very similar to this.
ReplyDeleteIt looks suspiciously like the cousin of the PEAR. Here in India it's a popular fruit commonly known as "Naashpati "or in other parts of the country ,"Sabarjal".
ReplyDeleteI am not sure though as there are no leaves on your plant.
A Bald Cypress...that's so cool...they are such distinctive trees! I have a few Vernonia...one very tall one that flops horribly...and a newer, shorter one that looks practically like an Amsonia until it blooms...love them :-)
ReplyDeletePhillip,
ReplyDeleteSorry about the poison ivy - it can be devilish! I love veronica - but hate the name "ironweed". How big are the pear-like fruit? And even in a less than spectacular autumn color year, the sourwood appears to be performing beautifully! I wonder if bald cypress would develop knees if it got less water (we are on high ground)? It sure is pretty! Anyway, thanks for the great photos!
Not sure about bottlebrush buckeye but I will investigate.
ReplyDeleteThe fruit is the size of a small pear.