Friday, June 17, 2011

Foliage Follow-Up June 17, 2011

FFU 0611
Well, it's time for a little foliage from the garden. I realized after spending a while last night going through photos, that I had gone a little overboard (not EVERY plant has to be included!). So here is an abbreviated posting!

Persicaria and Sumac 2
Persicaria 'Red Dragon' and Rhus (Sumac) 'Tiger Eyes'
Two of my favorite foliage plants right next to each other...how can you lose! The Sumac finally seems to be happy this year and the combination of it's yellow, finely dissected foliage wiht the rich red-burgundy of the Persicaria is magic!

Mature Parthenocissus
Parthenocissus henryana (Silver-Vein Virginia Creeper
I had wanted Virginia Creeper for my new fence in the back, mostly for it's outstanding fall color...but also for it's vigorous growth. A few years ago, I had seen a variety with silver veining and since then have known that if I were to get one, it would be this one. Unfortunately, I passed one up at the HPSO sale this spring and all the nurseries I've been to only have the plain green one. I finally found this one at Joy Creek last month...score!

Parthenocissus
Parthenocissus henryana (Silver-Vein Virginia Creeper
This is a photo of the new growth...love that red-flushed foliage!

Astrantia ruby wedding foliage
Astrantia 'Ruby Wedding'
It doesn't show up well in photos, but the tips of the foliage (especially on new growth) is suffused with maroon...really striking in concert with the deep red flowers.

Cimicifuga black negligee Aster purple prince
Cimicifuga 'Black Negligee'Aster 'Prince'
I finally got a Cimicifuga after debating for almost a year which variety was the best. I finally gave up and just got one that was on sale! Love it's foliage so much (although it's almost hidden now by an Agastache that has exploded with growth the past few weeks. This one is opposite of most dark-leaved plants I've seen. Instead of starting out intensely dark and fading to green later, it seems to emerge green and gradually darken to a lusty chocolate color. The Aster is another plant that doesn't look very impressive in photos...and is kinda small, but the color is really sultry and wonerful. I just wish it would get a little bigger...maybe I should just get a few more for a bigger impact.

Clematis tibetana
Clematis tibetana
Unlike most of these plants, the foliage of this is practically invisible! I got this last fall at Cistus after falling in love with a mature specimen the year before. I love how it's just the finest foliage you can imagine on these deep red stems. In late summer/early fall, it should start flowering with odd "lemon-peel" type flowers, with really thick, fleshy petals, beloved by bees.

Calamagrostis overdam
Calamagrostis 'Overdam'
I love the striped foliage of this particular grass...very bright and elegant.

eutrochium  june 13 2011
Eutrochium maculatum 'Gateway'
Can you believe they reclassified Eupatorium...I still feel weird saying Eutrochium! Regardless, this is one of my absolute favorite plants ever...gorgeous, whorled foliage on deep wine-red (almost purple) stems...beautiful all season long. I can't believe that just a month ago I was looking down at this plant, now it is taller than me!

Oxalis Iron Cross  june 13 2011
Oxalis 'Iron Cross'
One of the loveliest Oxalis for foliage...I love the contrasting colors. This is just about the latest-emerging plant in my garden...just appeared a few weeks ago, I thought it was a goner!

Sedum Matrona
Sedum 'Matrona'
I have a few of the standby Sedum, 'Autumn Joy', which I love for their stalwart good looks and long-lasting architectural contribution to the garden. This spring, however, I decided to ramp it up a bit and get some additional sedums with a bit more color. Enter 'Matrona'. The coloring is not completely consistent on all my plants, being much darker and more noticeable on some...but I really like its subtle, smoky color, especially in contrast with silvers and yellows.

agastache golden jubilee  357
Agastache 'Golden Jubilee'
I couldn't do a foliage post without my favorite Agastache for foliage! I love how this plant gives so much interest, even when not blooming. The chartreuse coloring is invaluable for the gardens, breaking up the more common greens and adding contrast to the darker purples and reds.

Bronze Fennel
Foeniculum vulgare (Bronze Fennel)
Vulgare it may be...but I wouldn't be without Bronze Fennel. Great for its size, texture and color...I have been finding seedlings all over this spring and re-planting them for more impact. A bonus, insects adore the flat yellow umbels of flowers later in summer.

Miscanthus Malepartus
Miscanthus 'Malepartus'
This Miscanthus is now in its 3rd year in my garden and is really coming into its own. It's a veritable fountain of foliage...I love it!

Rheum palmatum tanguticum
Rheum palmatum tanguticum
Although it's supposed to have reddish-tinted foliage, the Rheum has pretty much always been green. Nevertheless, its big, bold, serrated foliage never fails to make me smile. I think it may want a bit more shade, as it's leaf tips have a tendancy to scorch.

Persicaria Lance Corporal
Persicaria virginiana 'Lance Corporal'
Another of my top-ten foliage plants...bright but sophisticated...the contrasting burgundy chevron is so striking. A bonus, I have a bunch of seedlings this spring, that I've been sharing with friends and spreading throughout the garden.

geranium ann folkard clematis purpurea Rodgersia rotlaub patch
Geranium 'Ann Folkard' & Clematis recta purpureaRodgersia podophylla 'Rotlaub'
Just as both plants begin to flower, the Clematis starts to green up...I certainly will miss that amazing purple foliage...especially in contrast with 'Ann Folkard'...the yellow/purple pairing was amazing! Rodgerisa 'Rotlaub' seems very happy so far this year, putting up additional stems here and there. I'm especially happy that some of the leaves are retaining their red-flushed foliage.

Amsonia
Amsonia hubruchitii
This is one plant that has to be seen in person to be really appreciated...it's so light and feathery...love it!


Rodgersia aescufolia
Another Rodgersia...love the resemblance to a Horse Chestnut leaf...also, the deep furrows...beautiful in side-lighthing.

veronicastrum virginicum  358
Veronicastrum virginicum 'Fascination'
Lastly we have Veronicastrum...which are grown mostly for their elegant, wispy candelabras of flowers and long-lasting seedheads. I think the foliage is lovely even when they aren't blooming. I love the tiered effect of the whorled leaves moving up the stems. In spite of their height, they have a feeling of airiness.

So that's it for today...how about all of you...what's turning your head in the garden today?

27 comments:

  1. What turns my head are your wonderful plants, so many that do not grow here and therefore are wonderfully exotic to me. We have more than one native Sumac (Rhus) here, but they are simple leathery ovals of leaf, nothing like your snowflake versions.

    Lovely post.

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  2. Beautiful plants and color combinations. Wish you could come offer advice on my edges. And how do you photograph blues? I find blue almost impossible to photograph?

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  3. You have some wonderful foliage going on here. Lots of great images! Have a great day.

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  4. Fantastic shots of some really lovely plants. A lot I can't have here so it's always nice to see them in other gardens.
    Cher Sunray Gardens

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  5. This is the first I've heard of those darn taxonomists at it again. I liked how Eupatorium rolled off the tongue. Now I've got to Eutrochium will definitely take some getting used to. Wonderful plants, Scott. You've done it again!! Major kudos.

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  6. It's a darn good thing you pared down your posting because I already have to many things to remember to comment on!!! First of all I have been hunting for the Clematis for awhile now...must have it! And your Rodgersia podophylla 'Rotlaub'...what's up with that coloring?! I'm jealous. Mines all green now. Is yours in more sun? And lastly I love the shot of the Geranium 'Ann Folkard' & Clematis recta purpurea with that spiky business you bought at the YG&P Show!

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  7. Fabulous , just fabulous. I wish I was your neighbor. Ha. course a lot of it would burn here. How do you do with your ligularia?

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  8. I'm a foliage guy from way back.....Nice to meet you and nice to see your photos, also this:

    @Scott Weber I'm like you buddy boy, I like that combo and that's just what it is, timeless and a classic, thanks for visiting and I hope to see you again.

    Scott I don't have anyway to update you for any new comments from me or anybody else for now......I have RSS feed for any of my new little stories but thats all. sorry bout that. but thanks again for your visit.

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  9. hi Scott, This is a wonderful assortment of foliage- some I knew, many I didn't. The Oxalis 'Iron Cross' and the Persicaria virginiana 'Lance Corporal' really caught my eye. I think I will add them to my garden wish list.

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  10. A great collection of foliage shots. That photo of the clematis really captures the nature of the plant, how delicate and tenacious it is at the same time. I love the look of it grabbing the metal.

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  11. The more gorgeous foliage photos you post, the happier I am! I WISH I could grow that red rodgersia... I'm pretty sure my jaw dropped when I saw that one.

    By the way, I adore your sculptures next to the actual allium. I'm slowly formulating a diabolical plan to make myself something like that!

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  12. Hoover Boo: Thanks so much…you should look into the dissected-leaf varieties of Sumac…I think they are pretty hardy…not sure what your zone is…but they might very well be hardy for you (and they apparently don't sucker nearly as badly as the straight species).

    James: Thanks…asking for my advice is very flattering…but if you give me some idea what you're looking for, I'll mull it over :-) Blue is tricky (although red is hardest for me). The trick, I think, is to try to capture them on overcast days or in any sort of softer light. Too much sun and they wash out, afternoon sun turns them purple…they are tricky and it really all relys on the lighting.

    Diane: Thanks so much!

    Sunray: Thanks so much…it's fun to see the different array of plants for different zones, isn't it!

    Grace: I know! I always enjoying saying Eupatorium, Eutrochium sounds a bit like a surgery someone who has smoked too much might have ;-)

    Loree/Danger Garden: Hahahahah…I really do get carried away, don't I! That Clematis was a lucky thing…I must go to Cistus 2 or 3 times a year and had always looked for that Clematis, then, last fall, they had 3 or 4 of them…I snatched one up (for $28, ouch…might just be the costliest plant I have!) The Rodgersia are so complicated…aren't they. I have these in a spot where they get sun for 4-5 hours a day…it makes them stay red (at least partially) most of the summer. Unfortunately, it's really hard keeping them moist enough…and when we got high winds, the leaf edges scorched badly last summer. I'm hoping now that they are more established and I'm dedicated to daily hand-watering if necessary, they will make it through…they really are thriving.

    Greggo: hahahaha…OMG…yeah, the Ligularia, needs to be watered EVERY DAY…it wilts every afternoon (gets a bit too much sun, I guess), but so far, perks up every evening…I'm a little worried about summer!

    Paul: Thanks for stopping by…I'll try to make a point to visit your site often to keep up to date….I typically updated this blog at least once a week.

    Jennifer: Thanks so much…the Oxalis and Persicaria are wonderful plants…with similar coloring, actually…one is just much bigger (and more promiscuous) than the other!

    Ryan: That's exactly the nature of that Clematis…it looks so fragile…but it's tough! It's grown about 12' so far this year (it's 2nd) and I'm not sure how to direct it's growth!

    Blackswamp Girl: Awww…thanks…the Rodgersia is actually pretty hardy…not sure of your zone…but it should be hardy to zone 5 (may need mulching to get through the winter). The biggest thing is that they must NEVER dry out…they love wet, rich soil. I do love the allium sculptures…if you can make some like it, that would be awesome!!!

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  13. Wow, you have lots of awesome foliage! I'm feeling like I'm missing something, because you had to edit your "pile" of photos. I had to laugh when you told yourself you don't have to include them all. I have trouble with that, too, especially with the bloom day ones.

    I didn't know about the reclassification. Are all the eupatoriums that other name now? If so, I gave the wrong name to my 'Prairie Jewel'.

    My grandson found a 'Golden Jubilee' agastache when we were at a garden center, and I got all excited, and had him carry it around, and then he helped plant it. I hope it grows and gets bushy like yours.

    I had gotten a 4 pack of fennel to plant in with the flowers, but read in a post about companino planting that fennel doesn't like to be planted with other things. Is yours in with other plants? I need to make up my mind where to plant the fennel, because there are only 3 now. I guess one died. Larry took it out of the pack. He was starting to throw one of the alive ones away, too, though.

    Well, you have lots of awesome foliage, and I love the way you photograph things. You have a gift for framing and angles.

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  14. What fabulous foliage combinations! I must have that silver veined creeper! Thanks for the new obsession. I also love agastache jubilee. It really isn't hardy here but reseeds itself so I seem to have a couple popping up each year where they please.

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  15. You certainly have a way with foliage and photographing it as well. Beautiful pictures. Looks like you have plenty of rain to keep it all growing.

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  16. Beautiful foliage; beautiful photos. I guess your area and my area of upstate NY are the only parts of the country getting rain right now?

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  17. Dear Scott, I loved this post so much I read through it twice. The Persicaria virginiana 'Lance Corporal' is awesome. I can understand why it's one of your top-ten favorite foliage plants. P. x

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  18. You certainly have some great plants. I could not help but notice that in the first half of the photos most plants had red in it in some way. I saw many plants I would love if only I could grow them here. Ditto on the great combos!!

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  19. I really do love how you combine colors. Photo 1 is particularly fantastic. Also, you asked which Astrantia I bought. It's dark maroon, like the one in your Bloom Day post. But the tag fell out, so I can't verify the name.

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  20. I guess I missed your post on the 16th, but I'm glad to find it now. You always have such amazing foliage. I'm loving your Persicaria and oxalis, and you've even got me appreciating Virginia creeper for maybe the first time.

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  21. Scott, you have an amazing variety foliage textures and colors. They all look so lush. I am jealous because it is starting to get dry and crispy on my Texas prairie.

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  22. Scott, your pictures are gooooorgeous! I started out wanting to comment on the tiger eye sumac combo (think it and the persic. are especially lovely with the blue - is that nepeta? in the background.) But then I found I was oohing and ahhing over every picture and the comments box is just two small. Thanks for visiting Bwold again - I needed the reminder to come back here!

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  23. The plantings are all gorgeous, but your language is the best. ("Lusty chocolate color" I loved.) Your absolute passion for your plants and gardens comes through in your words and it's dangerously contagious to the reader-- I'm off to Dancing Oaks Nursery today and I will just note a few varieties off your post first... :)

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  24. Beautiful photos, as always.

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  25. Such a beautiful post...I enjoyed all the variety. We have a few in common but most were new to me...if I run into the iron cross oxalis I'm gonna bring it home!

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  26. Wonderful stuff, Scott. And every time I look at my Geranium 'Dragon Heart' now I think of you and that I need to tell you that it is inferior to 'Ann Folkard.' The flowers are bigger but fewer and the leaves are bigger, floppier, rattier. AF is definitely superior. Amazing companion choice with C. recta!

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  27. Corner Garden Sue: Hahahaha...I know...I have a hard time...and have to remember that even though I'm fascinated by everything, not everyone else will be! I know...the whole re-naming thing is crazy...I'm sure I'll slip up for a while before i get used to it. I hope your Golden Jubilee does well...they are so great (and if you want more, just don't cut off the flower heads after blooming...they'll seed around a bit, but not aggressively). That's odd about the fennel...I've planted it in the middle of all kinds of plants and it doesn't seem to mind.

    Violet Fern: I'm really excited to see the Virginia Creeper...really hoping it gets big and beautiful!

    Compost in my shoe: Thanks...yeah...the rain definitely helps...although we're rapidly approaching our dry season...and I have my hoses at the ready!

    Bookworm: I guess so...let's enjoy!

    Pam's English Garden: Ahhh...thanks!!! That Persicaria is so lovely...and I now have lots of free little plants if you're ever in the neighborhood!

    Patty: I do have a thing for plants with dark foliage!

    Kelly (The Sorry Gardener): I love those combos too...can't wait to see how your Astrantia does...I'm in love with them all!!!

    Pam/Digging: Thanks for stopping by, I'm a big fan of those two as well...and yeah, Virginia Creeper is kind of a surprise...really awesome!

    Bluestem: Thanks! They are lush...and with the rapid approach of summer, I'll be manning the hoses and watering cans to try to keep them that way! I'll cross my fingers for your :-)

    Kris at Blitheworld: Hahahaha...thanks for coming by, glad you enjoyed the photos...yeah, that's Nepeta in the background...I've got it all over, so it shows up over and over again!

    linniew: Thanks! I do tend to get a little florid with the descriptions on occassion! I hope you had a good time at Dancing Oaks...love that place!!!

    kate: Thanks!!!

    Cat: You should...I'm constantly trying to increase my number of plants too!

    Denise: Thanks for letting me know about 'Dragon Heart', I was beginning to wonder...it's so hard to figure out which is better without seeing them first...thank you soooo much for the honest review...I'll stick with good old 'Anne' for the time being :-)

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