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
Lots of lovely blooms in your garden, Phillip. I confess to being a bit intrigued with Yarrow, lately. I read somewhere that it's one of the most amazing broad spectrum feeder plants for insects. Seeing your happy vignette makes me think I need to get some too. Also, the first photo of the Leonotis is stunning - wow!
ReplyDeleteI've come to the decision that begonias are the way to go for me Phillip. Everything looks so beautiful. Alabama is a scorched mess this year. If it isn't brown, it's drooped and wilted. So sad.
ReplyDeleteYour new garden has a plethora of new to me blooms. It is fun to see them presented today. I can see you are thoroughly enjoying this new garden. Keep the photos coming. Happy GBBD.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos of a beautiful garden. I am quite envious of that bouganvillea. My yarrow dried up early this year. It has been really hard to keep everything watered during this drought.
ReplyDeleteSo many lovely blooms! I can't pick a favorite, but I am really enticed by the 'Violet Kissed' penstemon. I don't think I've ever seen one in these shades. Many of my containers are looking pretty pathetic, but my begonias are doing great,too. I overwintered one last year, and it looked pretty sad all spring, but even it is looking gorgeous right now. I hope I can find room to over-winter most of mine, too. Happy Bloom Day!
ReplyDeleteLovely blooms! Will you attempt to overwinter the Bougainvillea or treat it as an annual?
ReplyDeleteI am going to try and overwinter it. Any tips?
DeleteHow many beautiful colors you have there in your new-ish garden! What garden zone is your new garden? It will be interesting to see which things over winter well for you.
ReplyDeleteThe "hot mess" along the foundation is quite fantastic! I love the striking foliage combinations. I'm in love with the pictures of the Lion's Ear. I hope to add that beauty to my own garden.
ReplyDeleteOh, I love that "hot mess" in the first picture: the color combination is so rich, I wouldn't change a thing. It won't be long before the first gardening year in the PNW is up; It must have been quite an exciting learning curve. It would be interesting to read about some of what you've learn that is different from your experience in Alabama. I love everything about the Lion's Ear. Very cool.
ReplyDeleteLove the lion's ear - I am growing it for the first time this year as well!
ReplyDeleteThe weather agrees with your flowers. I like the Lion's Ear! I first saw 'Red Dragon' Persicaria in your Alabama garden. Now it is growing in mine! Except the unrelenting hot weather the last few months has given it a brownish tint. I hope it will be OK once the weather cools. It is still blooming.
ReplyDeleteIt must be fun to discover new plants now that you're gardening in such a different climate. Everything seems to be thriving under your magic touch. :o)
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