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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

Lilies in pots - "Muskadet"



Lily "Muskadet" growing in a pot on the patio. I have found that lilies do quite well in pots and they even bloom in shady locations. It is wise to select varieties that do not get too tall - "Muskadet" is only about 2 feet tall. I have had this one for years. I just put it in our unheated basement during the winter where it goes dormant. 

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. I tried Agapanthus in a pot this spring and was so pleased that I plan to dig most of them and pot. Maybe I'll pot Lilies, too. I used to have Muscadet, need it again.

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  2. That's a beauty, and a wonderful photograph.

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  3. When you store the lilies for the winter, in order for them to go dormant, do you water them at all?

    Thanks for answer! ) Love your blog!

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  4. This is a cheerful colorful lily. Love the red spots.

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  5. Very pretty. Is it fragrant as well? I am surprised it even has to go in the basement, as there are quite a few lilies surviving in big containers here in our neighborhood that are out on the sidewalk year-round. Or is it just so the bare pot is out of sight in the winter?

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    Replies
    1. You are right, it would probably be okay left outside. The main reason I do it is to protect the pot. When I leave pots out, they tend to crack and break when we have icy weather.

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  6. Very nice. I think I now have a few new options for a few of the containers on my deck, thanks to you.
    Ray

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  7. What a beauty! I would never have thought of putting lilies in pots--thanks for the suggestion!

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  8. Beautiful! I like that it only grows to 2 feet.

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