Star Magnolia

Spring is springing!  How I love this time of year.  We are so fortunate in the Piedmont of South Carolina where we have four nearly equal seasons rather than sameness.  My star magnolia blossoms come out about the same time, if not a bit earlier, than the daffodils.  The shrub is competing with a mimosa tree that has sprung up from the very center of the plant.  I have been cutting it back for three years now and it is simply getting stronger.  I've given up and now allow both plants to share the same spot.  Along with that, the fire ants have now invaded and set up a huge factory right on the same spot. Must be something very attractive about that spot.  We began our fire ant fight last evening and found six different spots near my cottage.  Unfortunately two of them are in my tiny herb garden.  Still, in spite of the battles, I am excited about the coming of new growth - both in plants and in my own personal growth.  Life truly does get better as I age.  There is a freedom now that is very new and precious.