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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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The Late Rhododendrons



'Percy Wiseman'
'Percy Wiseman'

I am behind on my blog posts. So much work to do in the garden this time of year and so much to see.

The rhododendrons are fading but they have all performed nicely this year. Here are some of the late blooming ones from the past weeks -

First up is one of my favorites - Percy Wiseman. This is a color changing rhododendron that
"emerge in shades of peach, pink and cream before fading to creamy white" (the nursery description). I think it is just stunning.


A very popular red variety is 'Jean Marie de Montague' -

'Jean Marie de Montague'

Don't ask me how to pronounce 'Oudijk's Sensation'. I purchased this one last year based on the foliage alone. It has very pretty rounded leaves. The flowers have now faded and I've noticed that the new growth has a reddish tint.

'Oudijk's Sensation'

The rhododendron below came with the house and I don't know the name. It is on the west side of our house where there are no windows. Therefore, our neighbors get to enjoy it more than we do.

Unknown


This one is also an unknown. Don't judge me but it came from Wal-Mart during a weak moment. It was stunning. I failed to record the name but I would swear the name was 'Holden'. However, a Google search shows 'Holden' as being pink (of course, it could have been mislabeled). I love this shade of purple. No name though, which kills me.

Unknown


'Anna Rose Whitney' has been a very shy bloomer. There were only 3 or 4 blooms this year but they were spectacular. The blooms are very large. I'm thinking that the shrub may need more sun.

'Anna Rose Whitney'


'Anah Kruschke' was the first rhododendron I planted. I wanted more of a purple color and this one is more magenta. It was wonderful this year, the best it has bloomed so far.

'Anah Kruschke'

'Anah Kruschke' with Japanese Maple 'Shaina'


Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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Comments

  1. chavlinessMay 27, 2020 at 8:55 AM

    I can see why you love Percy Wiseman so much: it has gorgeous blooms.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Lisa at GreenbowMay 28, 2020 at 6:37 PM

    Your rhodies are magnificent. All that saturated color is wow.
    What has happened to that wall project?? Did you finish it?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Phillip OliverMay 28, 2020 at 7:00 PM

      Yes, it is finished and I keep putting off doing a post. It was so exhausting, I'm just glad it is over. I hope to get an update posted in a few days. :)

      Delete
  3. Endah MurniyatiMay 29, 2020 at 12:30 AM

    They are so beautiful, especially the pinky peach color at the first picture

    ReplyDelete

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