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
Cool and rainy here, too; I am loving it, and so is the garden! I hope we have seen the last of high nineties temps and miserable humidity for this year. Your garden looks lush and wonderful. Have you taken out a tree or two in front of your house? Maybe the perspective of your photo is different or my memory is wrong, but I remember crepe myrtles in front of your house. At any rate, your house is looking great. Best wishes! Deb
ReplyDeleteHi Deb, yes, I took the crepe myrtles out!
DeleteSo cool here we have a fire!! Bit ridiculous in August! Good gardening weather though, as you say! Your garden looks so inviting, such interesting corners to explore!
ReplyDeleteWe have had the cool, but I wish for the rainy. Overall, its been fairly wet this summer but we need a little now.
ReplyDeleteYour garden has it's summer lush look. Beautiful. I could almost hear your garden heave a sigh of relief. My garden is still brown around the edges awaiting it's share of rain and cooler temps. Bring it on...
ReplyDeleteWe finally had some rain a few days ago, too, and now the temps have cooled as well--isn't it wonderful? Your shady, woodland retreats even make me think of Portland, one of my favorite places--beautiful!
ReplyDeleteIt does look a little Portland, which is a very good way to look. I love a garden of shade, perhaps because mine has none.
ReplyDeleteWhat really caught my eye in Portland were the ecstatically happy conifers. We have plenty of conifers in my climate, but they bear a air of stoic endurance. In Portland, they party.
We're having a cool spell too, but I won't count on it staying. It is still August after all. I love fall, but I guess I'm not quite ready to let go of summer flowers!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pics as usual, Phillip.
ReplyDeleteYour garden looks enchanted and enchanting, inhabited by all manner or spirits and sprites.
Nice house and nice garden. Should make anyone interested in gardening a very nice place to live. Let me know when it sells. JC
ReplyDeletePhillip, I love your garden so much. Thank you for sharing it with us.~~Dee
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