I was hoping to be clever and do a foliage arrangement for today and participate in both Foliage Follow Up and In A Vase on Monday. However, I got busy gardening and it somehow got dark before I'd cut anything for a vase. In addition to working on regular spring garden tasks, I've cut down a running bamboo that had been in place for about ten years. fortunately, it's run slowly but it sorely needed to be taken down. Now comes the difficult task of digging out runners and trying to contain it. Also on the list this weekend was using the chainsaw to cut down several holly trees along the back fence that made a nice backdrop and gave privacy to the lower garden but had been ignored for so too long and needed to be taken down by about 15 feet. Fun. Anyway, I'd taken some pictures of foliage combinations in my garden that were looking quite nice but didn't get around to posting until today. Oops.
Artichoke and Berberis 'Orange Rocket'
Persicaria 'Red Dragon' and a golden Euonymus.
P. 'Red Dragon' looks especially nice paired with white ornamental grasses. I
stole borrowed this idea from Jerry at Jungle Fever.
One of the newly divided Podophyllum delavayi with Heuchera 'Electric Lime'
Podophyllum delavayi in the ground surrounded by an Acer palmatum and Ribes sanguineum 'Brocklebankii'
Okay already, how many times can one reiterate purple and gold?
Euonymus and cordyline.
Acer palmatum 'Purple Ghost,' Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Nigrescens' and Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’
Acer palmatum 'Peaches and Cream' and Oxalis oregana.
The large Euphorbia that I thought was dead last spring but made it through this winter with flying colors. I've forgotten which one it is. Do you know?
Sorry for the blurry picture but the pink of this Acer palmatum is as stunning as any flowering tree and the color stays for months.
Cordyline and Bishop's weed which, knock on wood, is still kept in check by greedy bamboo roots on one side and barriers on the others.
Foliage Follow-Up is hosted each month on the day (or so) after Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day to help us celebrate the important role that foliage plays in our gardens every day of the year. Click
here to see her foliage post and those of other participating bloggers.
Some beautiful combos there Peter. Red Dragon and the euonymus is quite striking!
ReplyDeleteMost of the combinations are totally accidental. Flora is very good to me.
DeleteScrumptious, Peter! I don't even think I can pick a favorite among all your beautiful foliage combos. It sounds like you had a great deal of work to do this weekend, but at this time of year, it's fun to be busy again in the garden, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteYou're right, it is fun to be out there doing stuff. Next is reclaiming a slope that's been taken over by vinca and holly. The fun just never ends!
DeleteChainsaw gardening huh? That's always a little scary (for me at least). Excellent combos abound! I think your beautiful Euphorbia might be E. stygiana?
ReplyDeleteThat's it! Thanks, Danger. The chainsaw is intimidating to me as well because I don't use it that often but once I start cutting with it and see how much more quickly things get done than with a hand saw, it's worth it.
DeleteBetter together...any one of these plants would be a standout, but you have combined them masterfully. Let's hope you handle that chain saw masterfully as well. It's a mighty scary tool.
ReplyDeleteThe chainsaw is scary so I'm careful and even wear eye protection when I use it.
DeleteOh, that was fun! I love foliage combinations! And the new acer leaves are so gorgeous rigt now.
ReplyDeleteYour weekend garden chores don't sound like a whole lot of fun but you must feel a sense of accomplishment. Your foliage combinations are absolutely wonderful - further proof that I need to give foliage more space in my garden rather than falling prey to the wiles of all sorts of flashy flowers. Even paging through your foliage combinations a second time, I couldn't pick just one or 2 favorites so I'm not going to try.
ReplyDeleteYour "flashy flowers" are sure gorgeous and you're able to have so many year round lovelies. Here, there's not so much blooming in the winter.
DeleteWhat stunning foliage you have in such winning combinations. I'm thinking your Euphorbia might be E. melliferra. Take care with the chain saw!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Pauline. It's Either E. meliferra or E. stygiana. Time will tell as one of the very few differences is the flower color. The chain saw - so far, so good.
DeleteSecond and third photos are stunning! I love beet colored leaves and grass Peter.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!! I really love the acer and oxalis but all your combos are pretty cool. :o)
ReplyDeleteHere you go showing off the Artichoke... I'm so jealous.
ReplyDeletePurple and Gold? the more the better. I'm glad to see you soften your position regarding Heuchera. That electric lime looks great with the Podophyllum.
Oh my goodness, you certainly have a way with foliage, what fantastic combinations. And what stunning acers. I have three little acers coming along, that I have great hopes for. Don' t tell anyone, but they are from stolen seeds that fell into my pocket.
ReplyDeleteThat A. palmatum 'Peaches and cream' is a beauty. Quite a low grower? My favorite photo though is the bamboo and Euphorbia. Love all the textures in that combo! Gorgeous!
ReplyDelete