First it was the flowers and now it's the turn of the foliage as we join Pam Penick of Digging as she hosts the Foliage Follow-Up, a celebration of foliage plants that fascinates this month in the garden.
Here's a few of ours...
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| Like butterflies rising from the ground - Jeffersonia diphylla |
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| Usually we grow plants mainly for their foliage and the flowers are just a bonus. This one I'd say 50/50, I equally like both foliage and its flowers - Scopolia carniolica |
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| Four foliage in one photo - Kniphofia northiae, Trachycarpus princeps, Sedum spathulifolium 'Purpureum' and 'Cape Blanco' |
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| This photo reminds me of a mob of meerkats... |
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| Onoclea sensibilis, the sensitive fern sprouting wherever it wants, in between other plants, which we like! |
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| Back in the day I used to collect Cordylines. Colder winters have changed that but I'm finding that spark again. This was one of our purchases last weekend and was simply labelled as Cordyline australis which is more than that. It reminded me of what I used to have called 'Eurostar'. More about this cordyline and my former collection in a future blog post. |
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| And so glad this wasn't badly damaged by the fire last year... |
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| Kalopanax septemlobus - we have several leaf forms in the garden and this one is what I unofficially call a 'Fatsia' leaf form |
For more beautiful foliage plants do check out Pam's blog!
Mark :-)
This gardening blog follows our journey as we create our Tropical and Exotic themed garden. We hope you'll enjoy the journey as much as we do. We started our Exotic Garden in 2005 and this site will show its development, as well as our travels, both abroad and within the UK to gardens, nurseries and friends.
Gorgeous foliage, and as usual, a handful of plants that I've never heard of. When I lived in Massachusetts we had lots of sensitive fern growing wild in our lawn. I am also glad that your Kalopanax wasn't killed by the fire. Looks like an interesting plant.
ReplyDeleteThanks Alison! The Kalopanax used to have a lovely symmetry to it but it's growing slightly one sided now due to branch die back but it should recover nicely and regain most of its old symmetry :)
DeleteYour descriptions made me smile: butterfly foliage and a mob of meerkats! I love it. Thanks for joining in the foliage celebration.
ReplyDeleteA pleasure Pam! :)
DeleteHello Mark and Gaz:
ReplyDeleteThe longer we gardened, and the more serious we became, the more we valued the effect of leaf and form over flower in the garden. If we were to start all over again, we very much doubt that we should have much in the way of colour, apart from green, at all. It would be hard to do, but satisfying, we think.
Same sentiments here Jane and Lance. I know when we started we immediately went for mainly ornamental foliage plants but the more we get into gardening we appreciate them even more, with refinement in tastes of course :) or at least we think!
DeleteBeautiful foliage combinations here. I didn't know the collective noun for meerkats was mob. We live and learn...
ReplyDeleteThanks Sarah! We didn't know too so googled it first :)
DeleteOho, and I thought "mob" was just your inventive way of saying there were lots of them. Should have known better.
ReplyDeleteI admit to checking on google first Ricki :)
DeleteHa! Can definitely see the meerkats! I have become rather addicted to ferns, lucky I have a lot of shade.
ReplyDeleteCan't get enough of them Jessica!
DeleteSo much beautiful foliage! I'm hunting for Kniphofia northiae because that foliage is fab. You inspired me to get my first Kalopanax last fall and it's proven tough as nails by surviving our winter above ground in a small pot.
ReplyDeleteGlad you got one Peter, yes it's a hardy and tough plant :)
DeleteIt's really exciting in your yard at this time of the year. Mine is starting out with some now. Well it did last week and then snowed on it. Yours is already looking great with all the new growth spurting up all over.
ReplyDeleteCher Sunray Gardens
Hopefully that snowfall would be the last one and spring will be in full swing in your area Cher :)
DeleteSome great foliage here ! So full of promise, especially the fern fronds which look primeval. I take it everything has made it through the winter ? I don't think we have lost anything this year which is a great relief. Do you grow Tetrapanax ? That has made it through the winter with leaves intact, unbelievably!
ReplyDeleteYes Jane :) it has been an exceptionally mild winter, wouldn't it be nice if that's the norm from then onwards?
DeleteI enjoy sooooo much unfurling fronds :).
ReplyDeleteSame here Lisa!
Deletehoopy frondiness, love the Jeffersonia diphylla, that has just gone on the ever expanding wishlist. I sometimes think your posts should come with a wallet warning ;-) Did you ever work out where you got the Scopolia carniolica from?
ReplyDeleteHappy to show new plants Janet! I know one of the scopolias came from Beeches nursery but I don't know which of the two colours. Still trying to remember where we got the other one.
DeleteAs a fellow foliage lover, I enjoyed this post! I am fascinated by fern fronds as they unfurl. Your description of them is perfect!
ReplyDeleteQuite magical to see them in the spring Debs!
DeleteThere is so much life happening at your house! You must be so excited.
ReplyDelete