Illicium parviflorum is not reliably hardy in zone 6. They even get damaged in my zone 7 some years, especially with any winter sun. Expect to see leaf damage around 0° to 5°. I think you'd be very disappointed with them.

And they're not crazy about being piled onto with snow! Deer avoid them; I wouldn't say they 'repel' deer. Only people and dogs repel deer sometimes.

The site gets more snow from shoveling/plow than the rest of the garden (by the driveway/road).

==>>> i usually default to perennials that die to the ground when dealing with snowblowing and potential plowing ...

ken

Thanks so much, Ken & Dave. I may try the hardy dogwood. I think you're smart, Ken to opt for perennials that die to the ground though I've never seen as much snow piled up here in Nova Scotia (and refuse to believe this trend will continue:) Here's a pic of the look I'm going for and the purple perennials are at the front which (where the snow would normally pile). I've been slowly integrating evergreen shrubs in all my beds so that I can enjoy my garden for much of the year and I like the idea of the red branches of the dogwood. PS I only moved to a 3-acre lakeside home 3 years ago and I dubbed this bed the 'Wasteland'

Pretty amazing late summer color you've got going there!

+oM

Thanks! And this year, although I'm normally a perennial freak, I will be including an annual to that shot of pink called 'Pink Zazzle' which I just saw on a BHG slide show of new flowers - not sure if I love the flower more, or its name: Zazzle, zazzle, zazzle!!!!

I've never seen as much snow piled up here in Nova Scotia (and refuse to believe this trend will continue:)

==>>> i never beat ma nature.. for more than a few years .. when i refuse to take advice as to her warnings ... lol ... good luck with that ...

BTW.. as a collector myself ... of course.. i would have to buy both ... and wing it ..

whats this nonsense of having to choose one over the other??? ... lol ...

good luck

ken

I'd never heard of gomphrena before, but then again, aside from self-seeders, the only annuals I usually buy are begonias for a shot of colour in the shadier spots and nasturtiums.

As for names, I love latin names - my mother tongue is French, I'm fluent in Spanish and my mother used to teach latin, so I guess I come by it naturally. Though 'dazzle' just reminds me of Sheldon on Big Bang Theory...I also relate quite naturally to geeks so I think my garden deserves a little geekdom:)

And not to worry, Ken….I'm sure I'll find a sunny, sheltered spot for that Sunshine Anise….somewhere!! -Dina

Just don't do like the guy in Tampa who was landscaping his yard and needed a source for Florida anus trees!

+om