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 contrast with the dark green around it. The "marginatus" lights up that corner!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beauty is this little plant. It doesn't look any worse for the snowy/icy conditions that your area has been having.
ReplyDeleteWhat else can one wish for? Tough as nails, and so bright and cheery! I have something similar called an Eleagnus 'Gilt Edge'. It serves the same purpose, and it too sailed through our adverse weather conditions.
ReplyDeleteBright spots like this are so nice in the winter, especially when they're provided by tough plants that can take whatever our winters can throw at them.
ReplyDeleteThat's a very pretty Euonymous! I bet all those gold edges really brighten up the spot it's in.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favourite shrubs. It is easy to take cuttings but them, then they grow so slowly for several years, and you almost forget you have them, until one day they are lighting up the garden like a little beacon.
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