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
Seeing all those little bits of green almost makes me want to get out and start cutting back things. If it wasn't going to be 12F tonight I might have considered it. It will surely be the last of the real cold...I hope. It won't take much to get me into that neat and tidy mode. I have to say I would probably do as you mentioned and cram something into an empty looking spot and be sorry for it later. ha..
ReplyDeleteCan't resist playing in the garden when the weather is so mild. Toward the end of winter all the dry aster and grasses look quite disheveled, so was also in the garden cleaning up. I too must hold back from planting in all the newly exposed ground... because it will not be exposed for much longer. Your bungee cord trick is brilliant!
ReplyDeleteThis is my month to do winter cleanup as well. I find it so satisfying to be out with my pruning shears and to deliver all the garden waste to the compost bin. Soon the garden begins to look cared for once again.
ReplyDeleteYou may not be done but you've certainly been busy! I started cutting back here last month but developed a ganglion cyst in my wrist from the repetitive stress and had to ease up for a while so I'm not done yet either. I had to laugh at your comment about having to watch yourself about cramming new plants in the areas you clear - I'm afraid I do that all the time ;)
ReplyDelete