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 Phillip! I have never seen that Lilly of the Valley shrub before! Thanks for sharing all your spring beauties.
ReplyDeleteYour photos are beautiful. It was hard to pick a favorite, but I would have to say the spirea. I live in the "snow zone" in the Northeast, so it was a treat seeing what was in bloom in your area.
ReplyDeleteYour blooms are about on the same schedule as ours, but we have hit a chill spell, which hopefully may makes ours last a little longer than normal.
ReplyDeleteYou do have some beautiful blooms Phillip. As to those shrubs you are worrying about moving, leave them there. They look quite happy. Happy GBBD.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful blooms! Great variety of colors!
ReplyDeleteHappy Garden Bloggers Bloom Day!
I have never seen Euphorbia like that before. So beautiful
ReplyDeleteLove the Euphorbias, especially the one with the red-tint foliage.
ReplyDeleteYour garden wears spring beautifully! Love Camellia 'Bella Rosa.' The symmetrical petal arrangement is gorgeous and the new red foliage is fabulous. Unfortunately, I forgot to adequately water one I planted last summer. It survived but lost some of it's fullness and isn't blooming this spring. Oh well, maybe in a few years.
ReplyDeleteThose little blue Anemones always set my heart aflutter. I keep trying and failing with them. Maybe that elusive tease is part of the attraction? Either way, I keep trying...
ReplyDeleteMarvelous photos of the different flowers. Such a beauty !
ReplyDeleteBest, Synnöve
Beautiful images Phillip. I can't wait to see your garden this summer! See you at work next week!
ReplyDeleteAll your photos are stunning, as usual, but oh my, that anemone stole my heart.
ReplyDeleteI'm not usually a fan, but I *really* like your Hellebore!
ReplyDeleteI've been looking for that gorgeous Camellia 'Nuccio Bella Rosa' to add to my garden. I don't have many Camellias, but that's one I think is worth trying. I wasn't a big fan of all the white Pieris when I first moved here, but I only recently realized there were quite a few with bright ruby-like drupes of flowers, which I love!
ReplyDeleteWow! These are utterly beautiful images. I love the euphorbia, especially. Do you mind me asking what lens you use on your camera? I am looking to buy a macro lens for my SLR; I want to take close-ups of flowers, with a nice blurry background.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much Ali! I use both a general Nikon 50mm and the Nikon 105mm. The 105mm is the more expensive lens. It can get really pristine images but I often having trouble focusing it (part of that is just me not knowing how to use the focus properly).
DeleteEvery time I see Viburnum 'Spring Bouquet' I wonder why I don't have it in my garden. I'm envious of the anemones and hellebores too.
ReplyDeleteI love 'Ogon' spirea. It's one of my go-to shrubs in Oklahoma believe it or not. Also, the hellebores! Mine are finally doing their thing. Will you grow Daphne there Phillip? I love the perfume. It's often been blooming in February when I speak at the Northwest Flower and Garden Show. Happy Bloom Day!
ReplyDeleteDee, I just planted one today!
DeleteLove those blue Anemones. The bicolor Daffs look really good also.
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