Tag: foliage

Leopard Tree in bloom

It is such a wonder to watch my Leopard Tree develop. It has so many different “seasons” and this can happen all in a week!! Last week I stood on my front porch and could see the lime green leaves – so delicate and they were all open. I spotted something yellow on top and sure enough – there were flowers!! Very strange time to flower, but, hey! I’m not complaining! I needed something new for GBBD for March. So they start flowering at the end of summer and I will monitor how long they will bloom.

[one_half]Love the changing greens of this tree[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Light green when the leaves are open[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Delicate lovely yellow flowers[/one_half]

[one_half_last]I just love this foliage![/one_half_last]

Check this out – 1 week later:

Now this week I see a totally different tree! Take a look at all the new leaves – this was just after a tiny bit of rain we had this week. Funny, the two Leopard Trees are about 2 weeks apart in “age” the one tree is shooting new leaves and the other not yet a flower…so I am waiting for that one to bloom. I guess the one in the Grass Patch gets a wee bit more attention. And I have dedicated this tree to my late mother and she does love to dress up!

[one_half]All these new leaves shooting out[/one_half]

[one_half_last]The one in the grass patch gets more water[/one_half_last]

Brand new leaves only 1 week old.

[one_half]Difficult to capture true essence of the tree[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Full of new leaves and a few flowers[/one_half_last]

Now you know why I am so fond of these trees. The best part is their bark so the next post I do I will focus on this.

Happy gardening xxxx

Tags Brazilian Ironwood, Caesalpinia Ferrea, flowers, foliage, Leopard Tree, trees

Barbie's garden Gardening Home page features Perenniels

Lush green for March

I am looking forward to cooler breezes and that crisp morning air in March. Christine shared her garden lovelies in Autumn in Cape Town and I have to say, just taking a walk around my garden today I can see that the lushness of green is predominant in my garden at the moment. The last of the great harvests are behind me and the preparation for the March sowing will begin this week – if work allows me to.

[one_half]This patch brings a cool corner to the back deck[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Patchwork patio is brimming with herbs[/one_half_last]

[one_half]This patch is a work in progress[/one_half]

[one_half_last]The great rosemary bush offers cool shade[/one_half_last]

There are now empty areas and beds that need a compost top up and care for the next seasons plants and edibles. Shady patches and sunny areas have been earmarked for the appropriate sun worshipers and shade lovers. It also seems to get easier which plants to select. Hmmmm….. sounds like I am no longer a beginner at this.

[one_half]Beyond the fig tree is the guava tree[/one_half]

[one_half_last]My tree is full of small guavas-a bumper crop?[/one_half_last]

Not much colour, but it doesn’t matter. I am glad my garden came through the heat of the summer and recovered well. I now know which areas get the most intense heat and where I can plant hardier and heat-tolerant plants for the next summer season.

Happy gardening xxxx

Tags foliage, gardening, organic garden, plants, trees, veggie garden

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February Foliage Follow-Up

Post author By Christine
Post date February 19, 2012
11 Comments on February Foliage Follow-Up

Foliage has played a major role in providing interest and colour in my late summer garden here in sunny Cape Town. Its been a hot, dry month and although I’m sure we are not over the heat of summer just yet, I think our hottest days might be over. I didn’t plan very well for a flower show this summer – partly because I was distracted in October and November last year and partly because I was concentrating on adding foliage interest in the garden. How fortunate it is that I ‘fell in love with foliage’ as it is the different colours, shapes and textures being provided by all the foliage that make my Summer garden pop.

I’m a few days late in joining up with Pam at Diggings for February Foliage Follow Up, a monthly gardening meme where Pam and other garden bloggers showcase the beauty of foliage in their gardens. So let’s get right to it – Here are some of my favourite foliage plants and combinations right now.

Apart from the few Angelonias, this entire area is a mass of colour not from blooms but because of the different foliage used.

Another favourite foliage scene, my little “woodland”. As you can see there are a few lonely blooms but the area looks green and lush with interest provided by foliage.

A new acquisition this month is Carex testacea ‘Prairie fire’. These plants are small so the wonderful orange foliage is hardly visible at this stage but given the right growing conditions and care, these should look magnificent ’round about next year this time.

My new favourite foliage plant is Ipomoea batata – I love the colour – Chartreuse – (even saying it is cool!). I’ve tested this in small areas in my garden to see whether I can replace some of the now thuggy Lamium. I do like the Lamium and its extremely useful in deep dry shade – but I don’t want it to take over the entire garden so I’m hoping to lift a few area with the lovely colour of this lime green Ipomoea. Look how pretty replacing some Lamium here …

Another old favourite combo – the Duranta with Impatiens peeping through it. I realised today how much this shrub has grown. It had been left for dead after last years plumbing disaster – but has revived and is once again flourishing. So pleased about that. Again I love the colour which is a fabulous contrast in a foliage garden.

Another favourite combo. Actually, to be honest, here I am just showing off my blue Hydrangea. The first bloom of the season on this plant was pink. We fed and mulched and (it seems) did all the right things and now her blooms are the desired shade of blue. Just the way I love it.

If you know Pam or follow her blog, (if not, why not?), please join me in wishing her a Happy 6th Blogga-birtha-versary! She wrote a lovely post to celebrate her 6th year of blogging at “My 6th Blogiversary and I’m still Digging Gardens“. Congratulations Pam! 6 years is amazing. Here’s to the next 6!

Happy Gardening
xxx

Tags foliage, foliage follow up, garden bloggers foliage day

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January Foliage

As is customary at this time of the month, I’m joining Pam at Diggings for January Foliage Follow Up, a monthly gardening meme where Pam and other garden bloggers showcase the beauty of foliage in their gardens. Lots of casualties here in the scorching summer sun. I’m losing a few Agapanthus to something that seems to be devouring them from the inside out, one of the new Carex is wilting and succumbing to the heat of summer and some of the Mexican Feather grass is not happy in the full sun spot I allocated it. A few other casualties too, but let’s focus on the positive and have a look at the foliage combos I’m particularly attracted to this month …

I found a Persian Shield (Strobilanthes dyerianus) at my local nursery. Ever since I discovered this in one of my favourite gardening books, “Foliage”, by Nan Ondra, I’ve wanted one. And how marvellous that it requires partial shade – I have plenty of those spots in my back garden. I plan to plant it in an amongst the little field of white Impatiens I have got going on in the back. But then look at this … at the same time I bought the Persian Shield I bought another variegated Hydrangea and had them standing together. Look how beautiful these two look together …

I might have to plant these in close proximity to each other.

Here are my favourite foliage plants and foliage combinations this month.

[one_half]The wonderful Strobilanthes dyerianus[/one_half]

[one_half_last]The variegated Hydrangea[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Dusty Miller with Carex Evergold[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Dusty Miller with Carex ‘Frosted Curls’[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Trachelospernum jasminoides “Chameleon”[/one_half]

[one_half_last]P. madagascariens & Ipomoea batatas[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Wild Iris & Helychrisum petiolare[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Nandina and the Louisiana Irises[/one_half_last]

I’m finding Summer to be the most challenging in the garden so far. There is so much that needs taking care of and the heat doesn’t inspire me to get things done. Dare I say this? I’m looking forward to Autumn!

Happy Gardening
xxx

Tags foliage, foliage follow up

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Foliage Follow-up in December

Post author By Christine
Post date December 16, 2011
13 Comments on Foliage Follow-up in December

As is customary at this time of the month, I follow-up The gardening event of the month, Garden Bloggers Bloom Day, with a post highlighting the foliage that is flourishing in the garden. Pam at Diggings hosts the monthly Foliage Follow Up, a monthly gardening meme where Pam and other garden bloggers showcase the beauty of foliage in their gardens on the 16th of the month. As I have become quite passionate about foliage plants this is one of my favourite posts to do every month.

A new acquisition this month were a small variegated Hydrangea I bought (which was a half price bargain) which I’m planting in a very shaded corner that needs some ‘lifting ad Carex ‘frosted curls’ which I’m filling in a few blank spaces with where I want an evergreen “grass-like” look. I like Carex for its mounding habit (and because it is so easy and thrives in shade – perfect for my garden). I’ve included a photo of the foliage of my Tibouchina because I am marvelling at how beautiful it is. This was a plant I moved because it was not doing well at all. In fact I thought it was history. We moved it to the back garden into a shaded spot against a wall and it has done an about turn – growing huge, lush leaves that are quite lovely. Sadly, no flowers, but I love the plant so I don’t really mind. And perhaps it will flower again some time.

Here are my favourite foliage views this month …

[one_half]Carex and Campanula[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Duranta, Dietes and Zantadeschia[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Love the colour on the Nandina pygmaea[/one_half]

[one_half_last]New: Variegated Hydrangea for a shady spot[/one_half_last]

[one_half]I’m loving the Dusty Miller that’s growing fast[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Plectranthus madagascariens and Duranta[/one_half_last]

[one_half]I like this combo, strappy Irises and Ficus[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Accidental: Festuca glauca and Impatiens[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Agapanthus, Lamium, Duranta and Scoparia[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Foliage of the recovering Tibouchina[/one_half_last]

[one_half]I am surprised at the lovely foliage of Cleome![/one_half]

[one_half_last]The new Carex ‘frosted curls’[/one_half_last]

I’m quite amazed – looking back at my photos now, it’s quite fascinating how much colour and excitement carefully selected foliage brings to the garden. The biggest gardening lesson I learnt all year!

Happy Gardening
xxx

Tags foliage, foliage follow up, garden bloggers foliage day

Christine's garden Gardening Home page features Perenniels

Update of the lower back garden

Post author By Christine
Post date November 30, 2011
8 Comments on Update of the lower back garden

Just a quickie post – I’m quite thrilled with the way the lower corner of my back garden is taking shape. Just four months ago this area was ruined by plumbing works and I was left with a really horrid looking corner, full of rubble and poor soil and a lot of very sad little plants.

After improving the soil, laying lawn and paying this area some attention with selects plants, its starting to take shape. At the moment it looks a lot like a “foliage garden”. Very little flowering here at the moment, but thats ok. I’ll add a few summer flowering plants when I find the right ones.

Before …

After …

Quite a difference a few months make! I’m loving my ” combinations” – most will stay, a few might get moved around but for now I’m enjoying all the greenery. The ‘patches’ you see in the lawn are an indication of how much my dogs are ‘enjoying’ the lawn too. C’est la vie, I’m not looking for perfection, just a garden for us (dogs and all) to enjoy.

Here are a few more shots of the greenery …

[one_half]A closer view[/one_half]

[one_half_last]My favourite combo[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Another favourite combo[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Another combo I like[/one_half_last]

Happy Gardening
xxx

Tags back garden, foliage

Christine's garden Gardening Home page features Perenniels

Foliage Follow Up in November

Post author By Christine
Post date November 16, 2011
16 Comments on Foliage Follow Up in November

The past few months I’ve become quite obsessed with the foliage in my garden. I’ve been concentrating on the look of plants and their foliage (rather than the blooms) and I’ve acquired a number of new plants bought purely for their lovely foliage or for the way they will look in the garden when combined with my existing plants. I think my favourite new acquisition is Festuca glauca which I first admired in my Gardening Mentors’ garden, Diana of Elephant’s Eye in Porterville. Diana has a real gift for beautiful combinations and the results are extraordinary!

Without any further waffle, here are my latest “combinations” that I am enjoying at the moment – experienced gardeners, please jump in and tell me if you see something that is not pleasing to the eye – I am learning and don’t always see when things don’t gel well together. I appreciate constructive criticism – it helps me to grow as a gardener.

[one_half]Festuca glauca, scoparis, Acorus & Lamium[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Surrounding the Hydrangea[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Chondropetalum tectorum & Nandina[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Acorus gramineus, Curry plant & Hypoestes[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Agapanthus, Plectranthus & Scoparis[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Duranta and Festuca scoparis[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Acorus gramineus – just love this[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Newly planted: Miscanthus sinesis “Zebrinus”[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Agapanthus and Carex evergold[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Dusty miller and Carex Evergold[/one_half_last]

[one_half]New: Duranta and Mexican feather grass[/one_half]

[one_half_last]New: Miscanthus variegatus and ?[/one_half_last]

I’ve forgotten the name of the very last grass – I think its Pennisetum “something-or-other”. The last two photographs are of brand new combination plantings, so they still need some time to grow to show off their potential. This month I need to concentrate on flowering plants again – this “foliage obsession” has resulted in very few blooms in my “November garden“, but the foliage is looking lush and great!

Below is a new combination I’ve just planted about a week ago. I planted the Artichoke a while back and because of its “upright” way of growing, its showing lots of bare ground below. So I’ve planted the silver-hued Helichrysum petiolare below it as a contrast (I saw this on someones blog, I forget which one) and I loved the combination. I planted the Helichrysum only last week so it will need a few weeks to spread and fill out before I can see how it actually looks. Hopefully I will be able to show it next month, and I hope it looks good. Here are the individual plants… What do you think – Good combo, or no? I’m thinking something “pretty” that flowers should join this combo, but not sure what yet. Any suggestions? The spot is quite sunny – sunny enough for the Artichoke to be growing at a furious pace.

[one_half]Artichoke plant[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Helichrysum petiolare[/one_half_last]

Happy Gardening
xxx

About Foliage Follow Up

Today I’m linking up with Pam at Diggings for Foliage Follow Up. “Foliage Follow Up” is a monthly gardening meme where Pam and other garden bloggers showcase the beauty of foliage in their gardens on the 16th of the month.

Tags foliage, foliage follow up, garden bloggers foliage day

Christine's garden Gardening Home page features Perenniels

Shopping + gardening = happiness

Post author By Christine
Post date October 23, 2011
6 Comments on Shopping + gardening = happiness

Gardening is supposed to be therapeutic and I sure know that shopping usually makes me feel better, so a visit to the local nursery was what my “inner-doctor” ordered for today. And what a joy it was to find something I’ve been looking for forever! Miscanthus sinesis giant variegata was waiting for me – three of them sitting there (I always buy in threes). So of course they came home with me, no hesitation, lovely healthy looking specimens. I couldn’t resist a few extra finds …

Now all I have to do is finish the “big clean-up“, dig some holes and in they’ll go.

My newest acquisitions

[one_half]Miscanthus sinesis giant variegata[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Imperata Red Baron (Thank you Barbie!)[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Miscanthus sinesis Zebrinus – ditto[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Dusty Miller – I love this[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Inspection of the new acquisitions[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Great! My purchases have been approved![/one_half_last]

Yes, I think I am actually starting to feel just a little bit better. Just goes to show … Shopping + gardening = happier.

Now, if the sun would just shine …

Happy gardening
xxx

Tags foliage, grass feature, grass garden feature, grasses, plants

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Garden Bloggers Foliage Day

Post author By Christine
Post date September 25, 2011
11 Comments on Garden Bloggers Foliage Day

Another post I’m late with – I’m joining Christina of Creating my own garden of the Hesperides in her new monthly Garden Bloggers Foliage Day which takes place on the 22nd of every month. As I also took part in Foliage Follow-up on the 15th, I found it a bit difficult to do another post about foliage so soon after, without being totally repetitive. That is, until I had the bright idea of showing my current favourite foliage combinations for this post.

Let me preface this post by reminding all that I am a very new gardener and am learning by reading, observation, trial and error. These combinations I am showing here are my own experimentation where I am playing around with colour, texture and form. They work for me … right now. Perhaps I will look back in a year and cringe, perhaps not, time will tell.

I have a few books I have found most beneficial when considering plant combinations and that have changed the way I garden. Two in particular … the first is “Foliage” by Nancy Ondra which I bought on the recommendation of Cathy & Steve of Our Garden Journal. The book opened my eyes to what can be accomplished in the garden without ever considering the flowering potential of a plant. I love this way of gardening as it creates a garden which always looks wonderful, regardless of the season. The second book, which I am absorbed in right now, is “Designing with Grasses” by Neil Lucas. I love ornamental grasses and am on a hunt for a few that will add more interest in my garden. I’m off to buy Miscanthus sinesis “Variegatum” next week. I can’t wait to add this to my garden and have the perfect place for it.

For today, these are my current favourite combinations (Click images to enlarge)

[one_half]Festuca Glauca, Acorus and Lamium[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Festuca Scoparia and Duranta[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Chondropetalum tectorum and Nandina[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Pittosporum eugenioides & Dietes[/one_half_last]

[one_half]A mix of foliage I love[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Iris, Acorus gramineus and Cat~~nip~~ , i mean fur[/one_half_last]

These are just a few select combinations I’ve been working on very recently. Im really loving the combination of photo 4 – the Pittosporum eugenioides ‘Variegata’ with the tall strappy Dietes in front of it and the Delphiniums peeping through … I can stare at it all day. I think the lovely bark of the tree right next to it all enhances the scene of course.

I have a long way to go and right now its all about finding the right plants – sometimes it means waiting for the plant to become available or driving way out of town to a specialist nursery to get it … but its so worth while when it all works.

Happy Gardening
xxx

Tags foliage, foliage follow up, garden bloggers foliage day

Christine's garden Gardening Home page features Perenniels

September Foliage Follow up

Post author By Christine
Post date September 17, 2011
6 Comments on September Foliage Follow up

I took some time out today to take some photographs of the foliage in the garden to link up with Pam at Diggings for Foliage Follow Up. “Foliage Follow Up” is a monthly gardening meme where Pam and other garden bloggers showcase the beauty of foliage in their gardens on the 16th of the month. Please join Hercules and I as we stroll through the garden. It’s not just the flowers that smell good … according to Hercules!

[one_half]Welcome! Join us as we stroll the garden[/one_half]