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
The work may never end but the results are dramatic. You have turned this yard into a beautiful garden. I have so enjoyed seeing the transformation. Just WOW.
ReplyDeleteP.S. When I say 'you' I mean You and Michael. I know he has helped tremendously. :)
ReplyDeleteHe is doing a tremendous amount of work and he keeps it weeded. It would be a huge mess if I had to do it all because my work schedule is pretty full right now.
DeleteYour garden is looking fabulous ! You've done so much since last year . I love your woodland path .
ReplyDeleteAnd we are pretty much out of places to plant things there. Sigh!
DeleteYour garden looks wonderful! All your hard work is paying off. It's true, the work never stops with a garden.
ReplyDeleteIt truly does not. And when you think you have it finished, you start re-doing it.
DeleteOh Phillip, your garden looks amazing. All that hard work has transformed the space into something really special!
ReplyDeleteThank you Peter!
DeleteSo beautiful! You've done so much work, made so many good changes in the little time you've been on this property. I especially like the statue and the Pan garaden (very original) and all the steps with plantings.
ReplyDeleteI know where all your good weather went. Down here. We are having best May weather we've seen in years, cloudy days, cool nights) and it is making the flowers last a long time.
Thank you - Enjoy the weather!
DeleteI'm so glad to see a few overview shots of your garden, it looks amazing. I wonder how you'll mow the grass on the center steps. It could be a challenge.
ReplyDeleteYeah, that is what Michael says. Maybe a reel mower or weed eater? Not sure, but perhaps I should think more on this.
DeleteI found success with wooly thyme: good coverage and no mowing.
DeleteYes, I don't think I would put grass on the steps, but then I like removing grass much better than planting it. I think you do, too? Corsican mint used to be a popular ground cover, though it often died out on me. I remember what I think was called Kenilworth ivy in my Portland back yard - it was easy to pull but it did spread. It was very light and airy - not dense like regular ivy. I'm so glad you showed these areas in the back yard - I've been keeping my fingers crossed that they would show up soon in a post. Do you have 3 sets of steps? It all looks magnificent. Great job, Phillip!
ReplyDeleteLooks awesome! Did you build the gravel patio yourselves? I'm thinking to replace the (slowly decaying) wood deck out back with a gravel patio, but haven't the faintest idea how/where to begin...
ReplyDeleteIt is actually just a pathway covered with gravel. :)
DeleteHm. At risk of revealing my ignorance (too late?) do you mean it was originally just a dirt pathway and then you covered it in gravel? If so, did you do any prep work to the pathway (e.g., grading or leveling) or did you literally just pour some gravel on top and rake it level? And how deep is the gravel? (Yep, I'm an ignoramus when it comes to gravel paths and patios!)
DeleteIt was just lawn at the bottom of the slope. We removed the grass, leveled it up and then covered it with gravel. Right now it is only about 1-2 inches thick. We keep borrowing it to put in other places and at the bottom of pots. I will probably add more to it over time.
DeleteThank you for diminishing my ignorance a little, Phillip! :)
Deleteit is amazing how far you have come with your garden in such a short time! I wish I had you energy and ability. Hopefully I'm done with foot and knee aliments so I can get really busy in my garden. Love seeing what all ya'll have done! Hugs
ReplyDeleteThank you Carol. I know I don't have the energy that I used to have!
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