Skip to main content

Featured

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

Garden videos

Last spring, I made a few videos of the garden.

This is the front garden beginning at the front door and walking around the outside fence along the street -

 

A brief clip of the courtyard area in back -

 

 A longer clip of the back garden -

 

A video of the wall shortly after it was stuccoed but before painting -

 

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. Love your use of space and how the plants all grow so well together. I am sure y'all enjoy the garden immensely!

    ReplyDelete
  2. It is astonishing how the front and back 'yards' are totally transformed into magical garden garden rooms, in only 5 years... Even though I follow your blog, I'm in awe of the transformation. I wish the former owners could see it now...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is funny that you said that because yesterday, as I was taking down the Christmas lights out front, a guy riding a bicycle stopped and said that he used to live here! He wasn't the last owner but the one before the last. We had a great conversation about the house and he gave me some interesting facts about it. He said he loved what we had done with it.

      Delete
  3. It is astonishing how the front and back 'yards' are totally transformed into magical garden garden rooms, in only 5 years... Even though I follow your blog, I'm in awe of the transformation. I wish the former owners could see it now...

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wow, what a labor of love. Thank you for sharing these videos of your beautiful garden.

    ReplyDelete
  5. You have a truly spectacular garden, Phillip. I saw so many plants I love, some of which I can grow (but not nearly as well) and many that I can't. Thanks for sharing the videos.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I can't get over how established your garden is no longer than you have been here. It is spectacular! So much inspiration. I also enjoyed hearing the birds in the background. I will be looking at the videos again. So much to see.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The rapid growth surprised me too. It is hard to believe it has just been five years but also that five years have passed.

      Delete
  7. You have done so much work on the hardscape as well as the garden. It all looks wonderful! Your roses look magnificent. I love the pergola with the table beneath it and the steps leading up to the rounded arch.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I just love everything in your huge yard, so many beautiful garden rooms/spaces and places to relax and enjoy all the plants, shrubs and trees!
    You have so much variety in color, texture, and form, it all goes so well together with your hardscape. Thanks so much for sharing and giving me lots of inspiration!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I've been saving this for a time when I needed a respite and this morning decided this was the day after the horrors of the week. Love it all, Phillip, and I knew you would "do good" after seeing your Alabama garden but this is spectacular. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular Posts