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 is Iris and Clematis time in my garden too. Of course I don't have the many varieties and the amounts of iris that are in these pictures but they make me happy when I see them. I can't imagine paying $50 for an iris. It must have been out of this world beautiful. I think all of mine have been given to me. They are great performers. I love delphiniums and lupines. They just don't grow here due to our hot dry summers. They are such striking plants. I will never forget the time I saw a moose standing in a ditch full of lupines munching away. We were in Maine at the time. A fond memory. Lupines always remind me of vacations.
ReplyDeleteWe could not grow them in Alabama. I can't wait to try some here. I have some started from seed and they are doing well.
DeleteWow. What can I say, but "Spectacular!"
ReplyDeleteWe visited an iris garden in Tennessee a few days ago, but I guess the heat here makes irises fade faster.
(Plus this was a state garden and I don't think it has the funds or the manpower for the upkeep that the garden in Oregon seems to get...)
Anyway, good timing!
Thanks!
DeleteWhat an abundance. Sensory overload! On a smaller scale, I get similar feeling in my own garden this time of year.
ReplyDeleteA couple of your pictures feature huge purple heads of Alium (drool) with another 'feathery' lighter color bloom. Can you identify that plant?
I think that is Meadow Rue (Thalictrum).
DeleteWow...just wow. Looking forward to the other two gardens.
ReplyDeleteStunning! One thing I admire about the PNW is how well perennials do there. I have visited Portland in August and walked through neighborhoods whose front yards were mini versions of Schreiner's gardens. In August! No doubt yours will be just as glorious.
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful! I remember ordering from these folks but have never visited. Thanks for letting us enjoy it vicariously through your post!
ReplyDeleteBefore I knew much about gardening, I knew about Schreiner's.
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