Foliage Followup August 2010

Jumping right in to some of the leaves I’ve been enjoying this summer. I’ve posted photos of this astelia before, but I’ve recently noticed that the astelia and blue vine salvia have a lot to say to each other, and their light requirements are similar too. I’ll probably not plant them together, as their vigor isn’t a good match, but this month I’m enjoying their shimmering silvery-blue conversation and thinking of other plants that might continue it. Astelia with blue grasses, blue succulents, blue agaves…

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I stopped growing miscanthus for some years, fearing for my back when it came time to divide the monsters, but ‘Gold Bar’ enticed me back into the miscanthus fold. It is just as slow growing as it’s reputed to be. I’ve even read some grumblings that it may be a little too slow growing, but it’s possible there’s just no middle ground with miscanthus. This one is very manageable, about 3 feet high this summer, its third summer in the garden. Haven’t seen flowers yet, but it’s building into a slim chartreuse column.

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I don’t think I’ve posted photos of my one and only palm before, Dypsis decaryi, the triangle palm from Madagascar, now at its mature size of approximately 20 feet tall, looking up the length of its three-sided, fuzzy, maroon trunk. The triangle palm’s fronds are also a frosty blue. When I bought it years ago, it was known as Neodypsis, but I see now it goes by both names.

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The little tropical terrace. Xanthosoma ‘Lime Zinger’ to the right of the aeoniums.

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Closeup of the Russelia equisetiformis lutea, the rush-like plant spilling from the pot.

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Pseuderanthemum ‘Black Varnish’ and Colocasia ‘Mojito.’ The novelty might have worn off on Mojitos, the drink, but ‘Mojitos,’ the plant, is hot.

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Purple rain of tibouchina flowers on the Marguerite sweet potato, which does fine in drier soil. No coleus this year in my garden, but I’ve been enjoying them on other blogs.

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Mixed succulents, including the trailing Crassula sarmentosa.

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This Furcraea foetida ‘Mediopicta’ has taken years to get to this size, just over a foot and a half high. Snails love this one, and lots of damaged leaves have been cut off. This would seem to be a good plant for gardeners in colder zones to overwinter indoors, since it’s less sensitive to overwatering than agaves and wants some shade.

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Pam at Digging hosts the Foliage Follow-Up, a great chance to celebrate the photosynthetic pillars of our gardens.

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9 Responses to Foliage Followup August 2010

  1. Delphine says:

    Magnifique !!! Here, in France, the weather is so bad… 🙁
    rain and cold….

  2. Jennifer says:

    What a great collection of foliage! I especially love the grass and the your collection of sedums.

  3. Denise says:

    Sorry to hear your summer has been so cold and wet, Delphine. Hoping autumn is warm and dry for you.
    Thank you for coming, Jennifer, so I was able to find your wonderful blog.

  4. Kathy says:

    Liking the Tropical Terrace- and pouting because I’ll never ever have an Aeonium that looks like that unless I can rig up a greenhouse.Sigh. I had bad luck with M. ‘Gold Bar’, but should try it again, every plant gets a second chance , right ?

  5. Pam/Digging says:

    I’ve been tempted by ‘Gold Bar’ miscanthus but haven’t succumbed yet. I do have other miscanthus though, so my work is cut out for me. I really enjoyed your “shimmering silvery-blue conversation.” I’ve a weakness for blue foliage.

  6. So many beauties in your garden Denise! I’m particularly taken with that palm…and the Furcraea (of course)…

  7. Cindy says:

    I thank you for encouraging me to get that furcraea a couple seasons ago, Denise – it’s been overwintering well in my house – such a slow grower (thank goodness for my small house and garden). Things are looking good at your house! Great photos!

  8. Deanne says:

    Wow Denise! what a great blog. love this and all your photographs. Wonderful work here. I’m thinking I’m going to have to find myself a Furcraea after seeing your pics, the couple Cindy have and a beautiful specimen at the Enid Haupt Garden at the Smithsonian.. I’ll be back to enjoy, thanks for sharing.

  9. Denise says:

    Cindy, I’m so glad you still have it!
    Deanne, what a nice surprise. Yes, you definitely need some furcraeas.

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