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
Your holiday preference for dark weather is right in keeping with my own thinking. Of course, I'm a bit of a Scrooge as well, so it works for my dark mood at this time of year too.
ReplyDeleteYou still have beautiful color and even flowers! Wow. It has been unseasonally cold here so we have very few leaves on any plant and no flowers for sure. I like those cozy days too when I am inside cooking and celebrating. Happy Thanksgiving to you and Michael.
ReplyDeleteI'm in agreement with you. Perfect time for garden books, lists, and garden shows/films on the telly.
ReplyDeleteI've had Buckthorn 'Fine Line' on my wish list for a while now. Yours looks wonderful in it's changing colors. It reminds me of curly fries :-D
ReplyDeleteThe most intriguing and cool picture is of the Papyrus: does it fully die back and regrow next season?
Last year I put the papyrus in the garage and wintered it over. This year, I am leaving it outside and see what happens.
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