Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Foliage Follow-Up - April 16, 2012

Foliage Follow Up Header April 2012
In my grand tradition of being a day late for every post, here's my Foliage Follow-Up! Spring foliage is such a balm for the winter-weary gardener. It's no wonder Frost wrote that nature's first green is gold. Let's take a look at what's looking good right now, shall we?

Euphorbia Dixter
Euphorbia 'Dixter'
First off, a bloom that got left out of Bloom Day...but I decided I could put it here anyway, since those are BRACTS...right?

Sedum Angelina
Sedum rupestre 'Angelina'
I never seem to tire of this little groundcover, I just love watching it change color throughout the year.

Anthriscus sylvestris
Anthriscus sylvestris 'Ravenswing'
Who doesn't like a little black foliage in the garden...so sultry, so dramatic!

persicaria red dragon  1442
Persicaria 'Red Dragon'
'Red Dragon' is one of those plants that looks like it should be hard to grow, or at least finicky. It is neither. Seeing the leaves when backlit is magical...like blood-red stained glass.

sedum matrona  1452amsonia hybrichtii  1451
Sedum 'Matrona'Amsonia hubrichtii

Rhus typhina tiger eyes  1466
Rhus tyhpina 'Tiger Eyes'
My 'Tiger Eyes' finally looked great last year (after 2 years of sulking). I can't wait to see how it does this year, it's another plant that changes dramatically throughout the seasons.

Geranium Ann Folkard
Geranium 'Ann Folkard'
I love chartreuse, and absolutely cannot get enough of this Geranium. As a bonus, the flowers, which are borne in profusion, are the most wonderfully shocking shade of magenta.

Persicaria Lance Corporal
Persicaria 'Lance Corporal'
Almost no other plant I can think of has the same brigtly-green leaves as this Persicaria. They somehow manage to look new and fresh all summer long. Their contrasting maroon chevron is the perfect counterpoint.

lupinus  1461
Lupine hybrid
The foliage of Lupines is so very lovely, I do wish it didn't completely collapse with the onset of summer heat.

Geranium katherine adele  1460
Geranium 'Katerine Adele'
Another plant that looks dainty, but is tough as nails. I've moved this, chopped it back and ignored it and it STILL looks THIS good!

Macleaya cordata
Macleaya cordata 'Plume Poppy'
This may be the year that my Plume Poppy finally attains a respectable size...let's cross our fingers, shall we!

selinum wallichianum  1458
Selinum wallichianum
I bought these from Annie's Annuals last summer (not the greatest time to plant new plants, I know). They survived, but didn't exactly thrive. This spring, they are up and growing...and I'm anticipating them forming lush mounds of finely dissected foliage...and lovely Queen Anne's Lace-style blooms.

Sedum October Daphne
Sedum sieboldii 'October Daphne'
Even though I've had these less than a month, I'm already swooning over them!

corydalis bronze beauty  1457
Corydalis 'Bronze Beauty'
A gift from fellow plant-nerd Ryan Miller, these Corydalis have wonderful foliage that I'd say more resembles pewter than bronze, but what do I know. It's one plant that shines in flower and leaf.

parthenocissu  1444persicaria golden arrow  1424
Parthenocissus (Virginia Creeper)Persicaria 'Golden Arrow'

parrotia persica  1436
Parrotia persica (Persian Ironwood)
Our little Persian Ironwood trees continue to do well, and I'm thinking this year I'll ease up on the watering a bit...it's their 3rd year, so I'm thinking they should be fairly well established by now, right?

saxifrage  1435
Saxifraga stolonifera
To think this little guy went unplanted for months after I got him...he seems so happy now!

polygonum  1427
Polygonatum odoratum variegata (Solomon's Seal)
A lovely little plant I got as a single stem at a plant sale last spring. It has spread substantially and look amazing. Sadly, the slugs found it before I did, so it has a few little swiss-cheese holes in its leaves :-(

astilboides tabularis  1426
Astilboides tabularis
I love this plant and it's large, dinner-plate shaped leaves. More than almost any other plant, it looks particularly other-wordly as it emerges from its winter nap.

shredded umbrella  1425
Syneilesis aconitifolia (Shredded Umbrella)
I finally got this in the ground and it's so much happier!

pheasants tail grass  1421
Anemanthele lessoniana (Pheasant's Tail Grass)
As someone reminded me recently, this grass also goes by New Zealand Wind Grass. Call it what you will, it's a beauty. It will most likely start to green up as the weather warms, but will always have a little bit of amber and russet in its leaves. Love it!

sedum rupestre  1420
Sedum rupestre
I can't get over the wonderful variation in coloring on this plant...it's kind of amazing!

heuchera caramel  1417
Heuchera 'Caramel'
I can never decide how I feel about this plant, when it looks great, it looks GREAT. When it looks bad, it's awful. Maybe I'll put it in some pots on the porch, where I can hide it out of sight during it's less-attractive moments ;-)

euphorbia blue jeans  1416
Euphorbia 'Blue Jeans'
Another plant I have a love-hate relationship with. Love it's leaves, but it sprawls so badly...and one thing I'm not fond of is bare stems. Maybe I'll move it to a sunnier spot and see if it fares better.

iris gerald darby  1409
Iris 'Gerald Darby'
Although it needs more sun than it's getting, this Iris has proved to be really vigorous, even in quite a bit of shade. As nice as the subtle purple coloring of its stems is here, I bet it would be even better in full sun.

rodgersia rotlaub with bud  1453
Rodgersia 'Rotlaub' with flower bud and Oxalis oregana
And to close out, one of the plants I'm always fascinated by, Rodgersia. You may remember that last year I transplanted all my Rodgersias, which were getting to much sun, to a spot with almost full shade. I wasn't sure how they would respond, but it looks like they've all returned this year! As an added bonus, it looks like this one is going to flower for the first time...yes!

For more fantastic foliage, head over to Digging, hosted by Pam Penick :-)

39 comments:

  1. Beautiful foliage and equally gorgeous photos Scott.

    Fascinating combinations of colors, textures and shapes. Tough to pick a favorite here. I do love ornamental grasses best.

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    1. Thanks, Shirley...I'm with you...the grasses pretty much always win in my book ;-)

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  2. Hi Scott,

    Beautiful foliage, and I'm glad Anne Folkard is doing well for you as she never seems happy here no matter where I place here! By far the most annoying Geranium I own as most grow like weeds here and love any soil regardless of sun levels!

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    1. You know, gwirrel, it really is testy at times...especially if the weather is too hot or dry. I notice that it usually sort of sulks during our hot spells, then looks good again once cooler weather arrives...it's kind of a princess!

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  3. Glory! You have beautiful foliage. This is the second time in a weeks time that I have seen that umbrella plant, it really has my attention. I have a soft spot for most sedums and am learning about Heucheras...

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    1. Isn't the Umbrella plant lovely! I love sedums too...I could pretty much have one of every kind and be happy ;-)

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  4. Gah -- so much gorgeousness! The Virginia creeper photo is perfection. I could see it framed on the wall. I love all your sedums, geraniums, and euphorbia, but my fave may be Sedum sieboldii 'October Daphne.'

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    1. Thanks, Pam! I was definitely struck by the graphic nature of the Virginia Creeper as well :-) Isn't 'October Daphne' almost impossibly lovely!?!

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  5. Lovely photos as usual. I love Ann Folkard, especially the way she trails off around other plants, and the incredible deep magenta sparkly flowers. You realize you are tempting all of your readers to overspend on new plants again this year....

    But my new crop of deer in the yard has decided to eat things no deer before has eaten, all my unprotected Trilliums, and now they are sampling all my geraniums, which I always considered safe. Oh, but I guess you don't have 4-5 deer roaming around your yard, luckily. I hope they all went to bed with stomachaches.

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    1. That's exactly it, Hannah! I love plants that ramble around and insinuate themselves with others (as long as they don't strangle them in the process)! Oh no...your poor plants! I do have to say, knock on wood, that deer are one pest I luckily don't have to put up with...whew!

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  6. Mucho grande ! I love them all..I know exactly how you feel about Ann Folkard, I remember my triumph when I found one ..many years ago, and treasure her to this day.

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    1. So glad to find more 'Ann Folkard' lovers out there! I was SO excited to find her a few years ago, as well...she's one of my absolute faves, for both foliage and flower.

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  7. I finally saw Euphorbia "blue jeans" at a nursery...wow, I was very underwhelmed. It was all floppy and it's only April! You are still making yours look good, and I agree with Pam your shot of the Virginia Creeper on your fence is gorgeous!

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    1. I know, right! I think they are at their best in fall, once they've bulked up a bit. I've been too kind in photographic it...maybe I'll do a post showing its more unflattering side someday ;-)

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  8. All your foliage shots are fantastic and I have to say you've picked some choice Geraniums. If I wasn't cutting down on perennials I would be out getting those.

    Cher Sunray Gardens

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    1. Well, I guess if you ever decide you want some more again, you know who to go to for divisions, right ;-)

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  9. Gorgeous plants. Love the Syneilesis, I am growing S.palmata but wish I'd planted this now as the foilage is much more interesting.

    Paul

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    1. I've actually never heard of S. palmata...must look it up...you could always grow both, you know ;-)

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  10. Love the variety of sedums you have. As a person with SAND for soil, I can "glean" a few ideas off this. Thanks!

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    1. OMG...yes...they would be perfect for your sandy soil!

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  11. A great selection of sedums I am going to have to note down some of those for when I have more space. I like the look of Saxifraga stolonifera as well.

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    1. Isn't is lovely...I never really wanted one until I got this one as a gift...now I just love it...go figure!

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  12. Everything is looking green and lush! What a lovely time of year.

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  13. I had Selinum wallichianum from the old Heronswood about ten years ago, supposedly a perennial. It lasted two seasons and was a beautiful plant, but I have the feeling it likes your climate better. Is yours billed as a perennial?

    I think I'll stop searching the internet for good photos of plants I like and just go to your blog instead. Or your book, if you decided to do one.

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    1. Oh no! I hope mine lasts longer than that (I believe it was touted as perennial). I guess we'll see, won't we. Hahahaha...you're more than welcome to look at all my pics...and if I ever publish a book, I'll send you a complimentary copy, James :-)

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  14. Scott, you have shared so much!! Wow, I don't know where to begin. Love that dark Ravenswing is really cool. My Tiger Eyes is toast, sad to say. I was hoping something would come up from the root stock...nope. What gorgeous varieties of sedum! Love the oxalis under planted with the Polygonatum, may copy that!
    It all looks lovely. What a great collection of Persicaria, great colors! Your Parrotia is looking great.

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    1. Oh no...so sad about your Sumac :-( I will say, mine really struggled the first year or two, and has just come into its own in the past season or so.

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  15. Wow you really have a lot going on there, how could you complain you have a small garden when you can stretch that huge amount of plants on it?
    I love the rodgersia too, i've bought one a few days ago. I fell in love with your euphorbia blue jeans...

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    1. Hahahahahahaha...yes, it really is crammed in there! I spend half my time trying to figure out how to move things around to fit EVEN more in! Aren't Rodgersias lovely...I get so excited when I see them emerging out of the ground each spring. They are one of the plants that I just can't imagine are hardy.

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  16. Scott, you have just gone over the top, gorgeous photos of some unusual plants. I have some of them but now I want all of them!

    Eileen

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    1. Hahahaha...isn't that the danger of visiting other blogs...we do tend to want it all, don't we ;-)

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  17. Those are some stunning photographs!! I love too absolutely love the sedum rupestre. You can never have too many of those.

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    1. Truer words were never spoken...and I'm living proof...I just keep adding more and more!

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  18. Scott,

    Love your plants. The sedum repustre is stunning.

    Yael

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    1. Thanks, Yael...I agree...it's so surprisingly colorful right now :-)

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  19. Hi Scott - you were not kidding when you said how much you love the angelina sedum. It is so striking! ALL your pictures are striking - man! DROOOOOOL! I have yet to see my sedum repestre that red - so is that what happens when it gets super cold? Nice to meet ya today in cyberspace. Have a great weekend!

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  20. Gorgeous colours and textures, beautifully photographed.

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