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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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Hail To The No!

Rhododendron 'Blue Baron'


After yesterday's snowstorm, we had a bone-chilling day today with a few sunny spots. This afternoon, a freakish hail storm or so I thought - apparently it was graupel? A new term for me. Tomorrow's forecast? Snow in the morning but hopefully nothing like the one yesterday. 

Get a load of this -



Viewing the aftermath from yesterday's snow, it was comforting to see that the garden had rebounded nicely. I suppose that most of us underestimate the resiliency of plants even after working with them for decades. Our tendency is to panic and expect the worst but I now always think about a phrase that a co-worker tells customers - "Plants want to live!" 

I didn't spend much time outside today because it was cold and wet but I did get the Azara (Azara microphylla) upright again.

Yesterday -




Today! -



It wasn't bad at all. I picked it right up and used a large stake to secure it. I didn't feel any roots as I lifted it and I wonder about what kind of root system this tree has - apparently not significant which might explain why it fell. There is a section of bark off the trunk missing and I'm not sure if it were already like this - 



The Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo) received the most damage with at least three large limbs broken off. It was so full and lush and now there is an obvious hole on one side. There is really nothing to do about it except wait and hope for new growth to develop. 


By all accounts, a freakish April. Winter is reluctant to depart ways as the forecast for the next seven days looks chilly and wet.

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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