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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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A 2020 Calendar

Do we really need a retrospective of 2020? In most cases, no, but a look back at the garden is always a good thing.

JANUARY - A spur of the moment project last winter was a twig fence that I made along the back border of the garden. It has held up well and I'm still adding twigs when I can get them. There is a small area on the west side that could use more. I would like to go back and refine it but for now, it serves the purpose of screening the houses behind us and the birds love it.


FEBRUARY - I did not have many photos to choose from for February. I decided to include this because it shows the area that I am working on at the moment. I'm putting in a low retaining wall along the border to the right. And the grass path is being narrowed.

 

MARCH - On March 14th, we got a few inches of snow.

 

APRIL - What a difference one month makes! This was taken on Earth Day, April 22. It is looking across the front garden from the front door.

 

MAY brings the lupines.

 

JUNE - The border along the street in front.

 

JULY - The wall that divides the courtyard from the Pan Garden (just completed in June).

 

AUGUST - Looking out the window at the courtyard

 

SEPTEMBER - Mid-September was scary with a wind storm followed by smoke from nearby wildfires.


OCTOBER - The most pleasant surprise this year was the Spanish Flag vine (Ipomoea lobata). I grew it from seed and I'm notoriously bad at that. The blooms on this vine were just incredible.


 

NOVEMBER - The fall color didn't kick in until November. This is Acer palmatum 'Osakazuki'.
 

 

DECEMBER - Osmanthus 'Goshiki' shows the promise of a new and better year.

 

 Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

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Comments

  1. sweetbayDecember 30, 2020 at 5:10 AM

    I enjoyed the overview of the year in your garden. When I saw the twig fence my first thought was that the birds must love that. I am so jealous of your fuchsia and lupines!

    The view of the courtyard is gorgeous.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Phillip OliverDecember 30, 2020 at 10:11 PM

      Thank you! It is fun to be able to grow fuchsias and lupines. We both know they don't like the southern climate.

      Delete
  2. Barbara H.December 30, 2020 at 8:53 AM

    It's all beautiful, Phillip. Such a change from when you moved in. Congratulations.

    ReplyDelete
  3. chavlinessDecember 30, 2020 at 9:40 AM

    I do love an annual retrospective. I adore the twig fence as much now as I did in January. Although snow makes for a beautiful photo opportunities, I'm perfectly happy without it. The snow photo
    made me think it could be fun to take a photo from the exact same spot in the garden once a month, to show its transformation through the seasons.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Lisa at GreenbowDecember 30, 2020 at 9:49 AM

    Gorgeous photos of your garden Phillip. You will enjoy the extra space your short wall will provide. I hope your shoulder is holding up painlessly. I love that blue wall. It is so striking.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Phillip OliverDecember 30, 2020 at 10:12 PM

      Thanks Lisa, hopefully I can get back on that project soon.

      Delete
  5. danger gardenDecember 30, 2020 at 9:56 AM

    The purple wall fronted by lupines is just a gorgeous image Phillip, here's to a good year in the garden!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Nikki - Notes of LifeDecember 30, 2020 at 10:46 AM

    Such a beautiful garden! All the best for 2021!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Kris PetersonDecember 30, 2020 at 11:30 AM

    Every shot is spectacular, Phillip. Your garden is a paradise and I'm sure it provided both refuge and comfort in 2020. Best wishes for 2021!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Angie (Dash & Bloom)December 30, 2020 at 8:18 PM

    Beautiful garden. That March photo is magical with everything blanketed in snow. And thank you for posting about the Spanish flag vine. I saw this plant on a trip to Wisconsin this fall, but did not know what the name of the plant was. It is beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Phillip OliverDecember 30, 2020 at 10:16 PM

      Thank you Angie - the vine was new to me. I will be planting it again next year for sure.

      Delete
  9. RobinLDecember 31, 2020 at 2:09 PM

    How on earth did you manage to stick with one photo to represent each month, when you have so many amazing plants? Loved walking through the year with you!

    ReplyDelete

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