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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
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Fall has arrived





After a few weeks in Alabama, I returned home earlier this week to find that autumn was in full swing. Temperatures are in the 50s and 60s during the day and it has been damp.

 I've got a lot of chores to catch up on, mostly getting the pots inside and some pruning.

 A quick look around the garden - 
Persian Ironwood (Parrotia), much more colorful this year than last. 


Black Tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica), planted last fall. 

Mountain Gordlinia, just planted about a month ago, showing vibrant red leaves. 

Ginkgo 'Princetown Sentry', planted last fall in the front garden, just gets better and better. 

Another view of the gingko, with the Sourwood (Oxydendrum) in the foreground. 


Acer 'Sango Kaku' (Japanese Maple)

Japanese Stewartia


Burning Bush (Euonymous 'Rudy Haag') under the Sourwood tree

One of the potted Japanese Maples - 'Dancing Peacock' 

Bluestar (Amsonia hubrichtii)

Dwarf Birch (Betula 'Trost's Dwarf') 

Geranium 'Rozanne' and Pennisetum 'Hameln' 

Snakeroot (Eupatorium 'Chocolate'), Aralia 'Sun King' and hydrangea
Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia 'Catawba')

Japanese Blood Grass ( Imperata cylindrica)



Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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Comments

  1. Jane StrongOctober 18, 2019 at 4:25 PM

    So much beauty. Best ever pictures of fall color I've seen this season, maybe ever. You must collect these trees that show color?

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    1. Phillip OliverOctober 19, 2019 at 7:49 AM

      Jane, fall color is a chief factor in selecting a tree for me.

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  2. Lisa at GreenbowOctober 20, 2019 at 4:04 AM

    Your fall color is spectacular. What a beautiful sight to come home to.
    I did cringe a little when I saw the Burning Bush. It has become an invasive in our area. It pops up in the woods and along roadsides here. Scary.

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