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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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Japanese Maple Inventory

 'Amagi Shigure'



I counted 15 Japanese maples on my plant inventory sheet although there is at least one that I do not remember planting and haven't seen it lately. Several of our maples, purchased from East Fork Nursery a few years ago, are in pots. They are doing well which is a relief. Growing trees in pots in not something I normally do. The new spring growth is very pretty. 

'Shaina' - I've been eating my words about this one. I hate the way it looks in winter when its dead leaves cling to the tree. I tried everything (including using the leaf blower) to dislodge them with no luck. But look at it now! And it is growing rather fast.




To Shaina's right is Acer palmatum ‘Murasaki Kiyohime’ which was already here when we moved in. We prune it on it constantly as it wants to keep getting higher although most stats say that it reaches 3-4' tall. Of course it wants to do more than that.

‘Murasaki Kiyohime’

'Ruby Stars'


'Japanese Princess'

'Moonrise'

'Skeeter's Broom' with the aforementioned 'Shaina' and '‘Murasaki Kiyohime’ at the right.

Not pictured are 'Aconitifolium' ('Dancing Peacock'), 'Bihou', 'Geisha Gone Wild', 'Osakazuki', 'Sango Kaku' and 'Aureum'. 

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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  1. Kris PetersonMay 12, 2022 at 11:02 AM

    You've got a lovely collection, Phillip. I have just 3 Japanese maples. I'd love to have more - especially a red-leafed variety - but our summers are hard on them. I have to place them in areas protected from the summer sun and dry winds and there are just so many of those spots available.

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  2. CanadianGardenJoyMay 17, 2022 at 4:00 AM

    Phillip I also have a weakness for Japanese maples . I have eight scattered about in my gardens .. some lace cut .. some the ordinary Bloodgood, so I can count on them coming through our winters (most times ?) and one green lace cut "Waterfall" which grows painfully slow (to me at least ? LOL) all the rest are those gorgeous deep burgundy red .. I love your "Moonrise" it is gorgeous ! .. One of my oldest and favorites is Inaba Shidare by our water feature , it arches ? in a beautiful way to me.
    I can't imagine my garden without them . They are exclamation points that dot the gardens and make me smile. Your gardens are stunning ;-)

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