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
Ah, you're one of those rain lovers! Great photo of the Euphorbia myrsinites, I so enjoyed seeing your garden in person and I'm bummed I missed spotting the Agaves!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing all your lovely blooms and foliage. I'm deeply envious of your rain drops - we are getting pretty dry again in Alabama but at least it is finally cooling down. That's a smart way to plant 'Tiger Eyes' sumac. I hope it works. I, too, would be afraid of finding it coming up all over my yard. I have enough of those kinds of things already.
ReplyDeleteThese are some wonderful favorites! I like that orange Cosmos, I might just track that down from Baker Creek.
ReplyDeleteThe bloomers are great for September. Beware of Hellebores. They can become addictive.
ReplyDeleteThat aster 'Purple Dome' is incredible. I must find one and try it out down here. I love asters but they are difficult down here.
ReplyDeleteLooks great! I love rain pictures. All the colors seem to pop and the overcast skys make it so much easier to get fabulous pictures.
ReplyDeleteI've grown 'Purple Dome' aster and 'Rozanne' geranium, but yours look soooooooooooo much better than ours did. I guess they like conditions better out there? Or maybe you irrigate more? (I think you said you water a lot in the summer, whereas I rarely give plants supplemental water beyond their first year in the garden, if that.)
ReplyDelete'Goshiki' false holly (Osmanthus heterophyllus) has done well here in Tennessee in both full sun and partial shade. I've grown it for a couple of years and have not seen any flowers yet either, but perhaps it needs to be a bit older to bloom?
Amazing to see an oakleaf hydrangea just *starting* to turn to pink now! Does yours flower all summer? Or does it just start blooming in autumn? As I'm sure you probably recall from your years gardening in the oakleaf's native Alabama climate, it tends to bloom late spring here and then quickly turn pink then tan by early summer. It's like hopping in a time machine to see it changing colors now! :)
I bought that 'Golden angel' as well . I had to give it plenty of water when it was hot or it really sulked ! A least it's near the hose .
ReplyDeleteI like the aster and mandevilla.
ReplyDeleteCosmos 'Redcrest' is beautiful, especially against the blood grass in the background. I think I'll try some seeds next year. Geranium 'Rozanne' looks great; a wonderful vignette with the plant behind it, which I don't recognize. And finally the Aster: I'm glad I'm not the only one to be enamored with it: Can one ever have enough purple in the fall garden?
ReplyDeleteI particularly enjoy reading garden blogs from the Pacific Northwest because you seem to have the most unique plants. Granted, some of that might have to do with your job at a nursery, but still!
ReplyDeleteSo many great plants, and so beautifully photographed. Enjoyed them all, thanks!
ReplyDeleteAll beautiful but that first photo really gets my juices flowing. Hated to miss the swap at your place...family stuff stepped in at the last minute. I'm on the lookout for E. myrsinitis.
ReplyDeleteSo much glorious color to love. That first picture with the orange cosmos and red grass is an eye catcher. Autumn beauty is everywhere in your garden.
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