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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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My Favorite Plant This Week - Duetzia 'Magician'



It seems a bit ridiculous to proclaim a favorite plant of the week when truthfully I have many favorites and would be hard pressed to choose just one. But it sounds good on a blog post, doesn't it?

Deutzia 'Magician' (sometimes spelled as 'Magicien') is new to me and was planted two years ago. It didn't bloom very much last year but my word, it was stunning this year. Standing about 4 feet tall with long, arching canes, it was smothered with deep pink blooms that are edged in white. The floral extravaganza is a bit brief (about 2 weeks) but it is memorable.

Most descriptions list it as about 8 feet tall when mature but the one I've seen at Joy Creek Nursery is the size of a small tree and easily 10 feet if not more. Pruning should be done after blooming.


Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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Comments

  1. Lisa at GreenbowJune 7, 2020 at 2:10 PM

    This shrub has a lot going for it. Color is the best. Light green leaves and those blooms!

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  2. chavlinessJune 7, 2020 at 6:55 PM

    Stunning blooms. I wish I had the room for this shrub. I have a neighbor that cuts it down to the ground every year...

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  3. UnknownJune 9, 2020 at 8:55 AM

    I thought that looks like my deutzia "Pink-A-Boo" only to find out it's the same plant - your name is more dignified.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hoover BooJune 9, 2020 at 2:51 PM

    Beautiful photo and flowers--not a genus grown around here. Enjoyed seeing it.

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