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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

First Freeze



Last night the temperature dipped down to 29. Frosty patches covered most of the garden this morning and there is ice in the bird baths. It was enough to wither the tender annuals (begonias, petunias, sweet potato vine). It has been very chilly this week with highs in the 40s but there is sun and little wind so working outside has been pleasurable. 

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. And here we complain when temperatures drop into the low 60s ;)

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  2. Beautiful photo. Is this one of Michael's pieces?
    chavli

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  3. Beautiful photo... and yes, it was pretty cold. Managed to get the sanseverias inside, but I think I need to get the begonias etc. under cover this weekend. Almost completely spaced on the houseplants this year - LOL! (They never like being in our dark house much, so that's probably why I subconsciously left them outside. Checking on them today...)

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