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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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Fuchsia Friday

 

'Little Giant'

It has been a while since I've posted photos of our fuchsias. We have lots on the deck in containers. Many were overwintered in the garage. However, I've learned that they are so slow to regain their growth and start blooming again, that I think it might be best to just purchase new ones every year. Some are cold hardy and I've transplanted several in the ground (one of them is 'Little Giant' pictured above).

Some others growing in the garden are:

'Cardinal'


 

'Lady Boothby' can be considered a climber. It is scrambling up our paperbark maple and has so far reached at least six feet.

 

'Lady Boothby'

 

'Queen Esther'

'Santa Claus'

'Hawkshead' - one of my favorites. It is all white and about 3' tall.

'Voodoo'

And some of the potted fuchsias -

'Erecta'

'June Bride'

'Shrimp Cocktail'

'Delta's Sarah'


 

'Whiteknights Pearl'

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

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Comments

  1. Hoover BooSeptember 11, 2020 at 1:38 PM

    Love them all. They are beautiful, Phillip. When I was growing up Fuchsias were everywhere in Southern California. Everyone seemed to have them in their gardens.

    The plants we remember from childhood somehow seem more special.

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  2. Lisa at GreenbowSeptember 11, 2020 at 2:18 PM

    One of my first gardening loves. I will never forget the first fuchsia I ever saw and it has always been my favorite.

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  3. ksSeptember 11, 2020 at 4:33 PM

    I do love my Fuchsias ! It is hard to find some of the more interesting named varieties here in California I remember the days back before Fuchsia gall mite when the selection was abundant. I get most of mine now mail order from Joy Creek. I'm intrigued by Lady Boothby -I may have to seek her out !

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  4. Lucy Corrander Now in Halifax!September 12, 2020 at 4:03 AM

    Such pretty ballerinas!
    I try to persuade myself that if we throw away cut flowers, it's ok to throw away old plants too. It's hard though.

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  5. chavlinessSeptember 12, 2020 at 9:28 AM

    A nice collection. I'm not growing fuchsia, but than again, never say never.
    I'm fascinated with the photo of 'Shrimp Cocktail': is the two-tone of the flower unique to that specific bloom? The out-of-focus bloom next to it seems to have no stripe.

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