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
Beautiful, just beautiful. As long as there's no frost or freezes, the rain and cool keep blossoms from blasting before they're finished. I love when we burst from almost nothing to everything in bloom at once.
ReplyDeleteSpring has definitely sprung for you! You are ahead of us here in Lincolnshire, Uk, as our Magnolias are not out yet, nor are the Epimediums. What delicate little flowers they are.The magnolia is a lovely rich colour too. We have had some spring like days, but it has felt like winter again today - so frustrating, as all I want to do is get outside and garden!
ReplyDeleteVery jealous of your beautiful spring blooms... And wondering if the Jacob's ladder could be hardy here...
ReplyDeleteGoodness, your garden is so far ahead of mine. I have a few daffs and Hellebores blooming. Love that cherry tree. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteLovely and delicate blooms
ReplyDeleteIsn't it wonderful when your garden wakes up from winter? We've had an especially nasty winter, so spring has never been more welcome. Only trouble is, winter came back! Is this your new garden? I seem to remember you selling your old house? I'm sure it was hard to leave, but oh so much fun to start over!
ReplyDeleteDoesn't spring just make you smile? Everything in my yard is looking great, with the exception of the Buff Beauty rose I purchased last year.
ReplyDelete:( I'm so sad, it is still just a baby plant, and it had struggled with blackspot last year. It was looking great, and putting out new leaves, and something came by and munched in in half! There's only one set of new leaves left, and I'm hoping it will send up new growth. I was so hoping it would get settled and take off this year.
Wow. Your epimediums look FANTASTIC!
ReplyDelete>jealous<
I've had a small clump in the garden for a couple of years, but have never seen them flower. No new growth yet on my epimediums in Middle TN, but your photos give me hope I may at least see some fresh foliage soon.
We were down in the lower 20s (!) this past weekend. I don't have a saucer magnolia myself, but I know of a couple in the neighborhood (including at least one in my neighbor's yard) and all the flowers on it seem to have been fried. So it looks like saucer magnolia is a risky proposition here given the potential for warm spring temps (70s last week) followed by hard freezes.
Happy Spring!
Wow! What a change from last month! I am so glad spring is here. The Yoshino cherry is wonderful! I do not have one of these great trees, but every spring I want one. After seeing Taylor's Perfection on your blog a few years ago, I bought one. I have been very pleased with its flower production, even as a young shrub. I also love my epimediums! They are a great ground cover in the woodland garden.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe the difference from your post of a month ago! The snow has well and truly gone and left a host of blooms in its wake. Oddly, your garden is ahead of mine, despite all your snow. I haven't seen any magnolias out anywhere yet, and yours are opening nicely.
ReplyDeleteThings are in a similar state here, thank God!
ReplyDeleteEvery time I see Taylor's Perfection on your blog I think I have to have it. lol It's beautiful. The Yoshino cherry is gorgeous.
ReplyDelete