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
Phillip, years ago I visited your blog in Alabama a few times. It's nice to see that you are still blogging. I used to have Hot Lips years ago, but she didn't do well with our heat and wind. Yours looks quite happy, though, and that begonia is really something special!
ReplyDeleteIt seems to be a plant that does better as the season progresses. It starts looking really good around August and September.
DeleteI love all those shades of purple!
ReplyDeleteHappy Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day!
Thank you Lea!
DeleteLooks great! I really like your Agastache. We had some at our old house and it was a great plant.
ReplyDeleteThanks Rebecca!
DeleteYou have one of the prettiest gardens in the blog kingdom - well-grown colorful plants, seasonal interest. It's always enjoyable to see what you've got.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jane!
DeleteStill so many blooms in your garden. Impressive. I'm particularly envious of your Agastache 'Electric Punch'; I've tried to grow it several times with no luck. The color variation from orange to bright pink reminds me of sherbet ice cream.
ReplyDeleteI got it at the Plant Swap and just stuck it in a really awful place and forgot about it until I found it blooming later. I have lost several of them but this one seems to be happy.
DeleteI love that coreopsis. I need, really need, to get a red one for my garden. Coreopsis is such a non-stop plant once it starts blooming.
ReplyDeleteI had never had luck with coreopsis in our former garden but it grows like crazy here!
DeleteI recall following your Alabama garden, Phillip - this one must be such a different experience for you. I'm in love with your asters, which I have a hard time growing in SoCal. I wish I could grow Salvia 'Amistad' too but despite multiple attempts, I've yet to get it to survive more than a single season.
ReplyDeleteKris, 'Amistad' is an annual here too. I like it so much that I buy one if I can find it.
DeleteI love begonias but they don't ever look as good as this one. I haven't found an agastache that does well in my garden either. Hmmmmm. All looks so pretty. Happy GBBD.
ReplyDeleteLisa, I have to give Michael credit for the begonias. They are in pots and he cares for them. He waters and fertilizes on a set schedule. He is meticulous about it!
DeleteHi Phillip, I recently searched for Eupatorium rugosum 'Chocolate', hoping to add it to my own garden. No luck locally. If I want it I will have to order it. Glad to see how lovely it looks in your space. I also love that red coreopsis!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous, what a joy! I think you need a greenhouse--imagine begonias that perfect year round...
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ReplyDeleteWhat a wondrous variety of colors!! Wow!
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