A late Foliage Follow-up for May
On Saturday I drove down to Rare Plant Research for their open house, and didn't make time for Foliage Follow-up on the day it is usually held, the 16th of every month. I'll be writing a post about my trip to RPR, and a couple other stops I made on the return trip, but first the foliage. Pam of Digging hosts this meme to remind us of the importance of foliage, something I agree with wholeheartedly.
First up is one of my new plants, Elaeagnus pungens 'Maculata'. At $14.99 for a 4-foot tall plant, I couldn't leave this at Lael's Moon Garden. Even though I'm not quite sure where I'm going to put it....
Of course, variegated plants are subject to reverting to all-green growth, but in the case of this elaeagnus, I consider this reverted branch a bonus. The variegation interferes with the spectacular silvery color of the new growth. It's pretty, but I also love the pure silver of the non-variegated new growth. I'm going to root it as a separate plant so I can enjoy both!
Molinia caerulea 'Variegata' is always a favorite. It looks especially nice with a few blades draping themselves over stone.
Though a weed, Verbascum thapsis, or common mullein, has big, beautiful leaves covered in a dense woolly fuzz. It's exceptionally good at holding water droplets.
Aconitum 'Bressingham Spire', Saxifraga stolonifera, and Hakonechloa macra 'All Gold' make a nice combination of different textures and colors.
The initial flush of growth on Acer metcalphii has matured to a deep, semi-glossy green with just a hint of dark purple. New leaves emerge lacquered dark red. I've also been watching the bark closely and yesterday I think I noticed fine red lines forming where the new white stripes will appear. Sorry, not especially photo-friendly at the moment, so no picture.
The bright blue needles of Cedrus atlantica 'Pendula' are particularly striking now.
I've been endlessly entertained watching the big, scaly buds develop on Callistemon pityoides Mt. Kosciusco Form'. Now they've broken open to reveal fuzzy new leaves!
And that's my short but sweet foliage follow-up. My garden redo projects are kind of on hold for now until the fence is completed. The contractor only came two days last week, and then his truck broke down (I'll give him the benefit of the doubt) but he is supposed to return today. I'm hoping a lot of progress will be made this week so I can get to planting!
First up is one of my new plants, Elaeagnus pungens 'Maculata'. At $14.99 for a 4-foot tall plant, I couldn't leave this at Lael's Moon Garden. Even though I'm not quite sure where I'm going to put it....
Of course, variegated plants are subject to reverting to all-green growth, but in the case of this elaeagnus, I consider this reverted branch a bonus. The variegation interferes with the spectacular silvery color of the new growth. It's pretty, but I also love the pure silver of the non-variegated new growth. I'm going to root it as a separate plant so I can enjoy both!
Molinia caerulea 'Variegata' is always a favorite. It looks especially nice with a few blades draping themselves over stone.
Though a weed, Verbascum thapsis, or common mullein, has big, beautiful leaves covered in a dense woolly fuzz. It's exceptionally good at holding water droplets.
Aconitum 'Bressingham Spire', Saxifraga stolonifera, and Hakonechloa macra 'All Gold' make a nice combination of different textures and colors.
The initial flush of growth on Acer metcalphii has matured to a deep, semi-glossy green with just a hint of dark purple. New leaves emerge lacquered dark red. I've also been watching the bark closely and yesterday I think I noticed fine red lines forming where the new white stripes will appear. Sorry, not especially photo-friendly at the moment, so no picture.
The bright blue needles of Cedrus atlantica 'Pendula' are particularly striking now.
I've been endlessly entertained watching the big, scaly buds develop on Callistemon pityoides Mt. Kosciusco Form'. Now they've broken open to reveal fuzzy new leaves!
Great foliage! Looking forward to hearing what you thought of your visit to RPR (sorry we missed you.) and what you bought! Happy new week!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry I missed you, too. I was really looking forward to seeing you again.
DeleteThat photo with Aconitum 'Bressingham Spire', Saxifraga stolonifera, and Hakonechloa macra 'All Gold' WOWSA! That is pure foliage perfection. And like Peter I look forward to seeing your RPR post. I looked for you but didn't see you...
ReplyDeleteThanks, Loree! I was sorry to miss you at RPR, but I left before you even got there.
DeleteI also thought the vignette of such different leafs in shape and color is wonderful.
ReplyDeleteDo you prepare to stake Cedrus atlantica 'Pendula'? Shape it somehow? I own one and keep an eye on it for un-checked sprawl. Fantastic color on the new spring growth! I like common mullein, even though you called it weed :-)
Thanks, Chav. The cedar will be getting a structure to grow on eventually. The railings from the split-rail fence are mostly still good and the aged wood will look great with the blue cedar needles.
DeleteSounds suspiciously like "the dog ate my homework", but down time is good for things like road trips to RPR and meandering with camera in hand.
ReplyDeleteHave to take a break once in a while to see places.
DeleteI briefly fell in love with that Molina, only to have my fervor dashed by its high water needs. The Callistemon, though, has promise...
ReplyDeleteThat callistemon is a nice dwarf. I'd definitely recommend it. Supposed to develop interesting character as it ages. I think it's already pretty great.
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