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
I felt they all looked the same too, Phillip, until I started following a number of UK garden blogs. After several years, I've come to appreciate their differences even though there's absolutely no chance of growing them in my climate ;)
ReplyDeleteI felt the same way about them, and the--like Kris above-- I started following UK garden blogs and there are definitely differences. I love the green markings on this one, like little green hearts.
ReplyDeleteDoesn't matter how small those first little flowers are always the most special.
ReplyDelete