For some reason, I'm more fascinated with foliage this spring than I've been in the past. The exception is the lovely Calla Lily (Zantedeschia cultivar), nurtured in the warm sunroom during the winter and blooming now. Even in this case, however, the foliage is nearly as fascinating as the flowers, and they are amazing companions.
But when I pulled together a grouping of pots, I leaned heavily on colorful, shapely foliage. The elements here include spikes of Ostrich Ferns (Matteuccia struthiopteris), and a fun, hairy Papyrus Sedge (Cyperus papyrus) in the middle. Colorful Coleus and Ipomoea plants dance with Caladium, Fuchsia, and Hypoestes phyllostachya. As these pots fill out, they'll be even more fun.
I can't take much credit for the grouping above. With the exception of the Daylily (Hemerocallis) strands and the Rhubarb (Rheum × hybridum), the other plants here (Hostas and Forsythia) were planted by the previous owners. All look particularly vibrant this spring, thanks to optimal precipitation and temperature conditions.
There are several other settings in the garden where we're encouraging native plants to take over. In this case, Mayapples (Podophyllum peltatum) and Ostrich Ferns (Matteuccia struthiopteris) are reclaiming territory around an Oak tree. Their play with the Hostas creates a nifty structural and variegated grouping.
There are too many plants to name in this grouping above, but the main thing that's been different in recent years is the encouragement of native Wood Violets (Viola sororia) along the garden path through the Rose arbor.
Mother Nature takes credit when we walk into the woodland. Hostas line the edges, but the rest of the plants here are naturally occurring. Most of the spring ephemerals have finished flowering, but the foliage still delights.
Finally, one of my favorite potted plants has exquisite foliage--through the winter and early spring in the sunroom, and outdoors as a focal point during the growing season. It's Oxalis vulcanicola 'Zinfandel.' I love the yummy wine and dark green foliage, and especially when it's framed by more Ferns.
Foliage can be as magical as flowers!
Since I've included six examples of foliage combos in this post, I'm linking in with "Six on Saturday," hosted by Jim at Garden Ruminations. Visit his blog to see other fun garden happenings shared by other bloggers.
Since I've included six examples of foliage combos in this post, I'm linking in with "Six on Saturday," hosted by Jim at Garden Ruminations. Visit his blog to see other fun garden happenings shared by other bloggers.
All these plant arrangements look really nice together. I've been growing Ostrich Ferns here for a short time, but yours are much more elegant. Perhaps I should cut lower leaves of mine a little?
ReplyDeleteThanks, Fred. The conditions this spring have been optimal for the Ostrich Ferns--early spring warmth, then cool mid-spring (but not too cold), now the warm-up. And plenty of rain (but not too much for houses down the hill). Regarding clipping them...I'm not sure. They're dominant here along the edge where the woodland meets the more open areas across the street from us. Some of the advice says to keep them moist, which wrings true because ours sometimes dry out during a hot, dry summer.
DeleteYour Matteuccia are very advanced compared to mine, but a lot of mine are new ferns spreading from the original. I love your selections this week, the restful greens of the woodland, the vibrant red of the Oxalis!
ReplyDeleteThat Oxalis is really special; best potted plant for me in my current location. It can take a little sun, and it blooms with yellow flowers, but it's lovely in the shade, too. The colors are more burgundy during shady hours, and a vibrant dark red when the sun hits the plant.
DeleteFoliage is often very underrated - especially the contrasting textures. really interesting read and lots of lovely planting combinations.
ReplyDeleteYes, I totally agree. :) Thank you. Every gardening season is unique, and it's fun to try new things and rely on steady favorites, right? What a wonderful pastime we share.
DeleteOh, everything is so green and full. It's fun to see the complete opposite of the very dry garden around here. I agree that the foliage is as impressive as blooms. Adding the darker foliage is lovely against all the green.
ReplyDeleteYes, it's very green right now. It would be fun to watch a movie of a garden through many years and many seasons. :) I love dry gardens, too, and you are so creative with your landscaping and plants! It's so fun to "visit" gardens around the world, through our blogs.
DeleteI LOVE your garden. All the different greens. Your calla flowers are a beautiful colour and I love the speckled leaves. Mine are just boring cream with plain leaves by comparison. The grouping of your pots offer a a different dimension
ReplyDeleteThank you. It's a special place for me, too. It's very naturalized, and not everyone's cup of tea, but it's comfortable for me. There are always many projects and updates to be done, but it's definitely a personal place of respite. It's funny what you mention about your cream-colored Calla: I've grown some like that in the past, too, and I love them all!
DeleteWhat lovely foliage combinations. Your woodland walk looks really inviting.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Chloris. The woodland is almost magical when you walk into it this time of year. I can't take credit for it much: We pull invasive plants, but the rest are planted and grown by Mother Nature.
DeleteSuch gorgeous foliage colours, really delight the senses. I am more and more interested in foliage colours too in my garden. 🌸
ReplyDeleteHi Sarah: Thanks. :) I've always found foliage fascinating, but the interest seems to be increasing. And it was fun to fill the annual pots with mainly foliage--I think sometimes I overdo it with the flowers.
DeleteI love your foliage collection...something I would like to include more of in my own garden
ReplyDeleteThanks, Cath. I bought quite a few Marigolds and Impatiens, but I placed most of them in other spots in the garden. It was fun to do this little grouping of pots with mainly foliage. :)
DeleteI completely understand the passion for foliage! There's such gorgeous variety in Nature and in the photos you shared, absolutely stunning.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Melis. :) Our back garden is sooo green. Sometimes I feel compelled to counter it with colorful floral plantings in my annual pots. But this year, I made a conscious effort to focus on foliage in that grouping.
DeleteI used to have a Coleus like that - so beautiful! I really love your arrangements. Encouraging Wood Violets sounds like a great idea and it must look so wonderful when they are in flower.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kathrin! The Coleus varieties are favorites for me because they add color in my shady setting. I only grow them in pots, but they help to frame the walkway close to the house. Yes, the Violets were very pretty during their bloom time earlier in the spring.
DeleteEverything looks lush, Beth!
ReplyDeleteWe were fortunate to have plenty of warmth and precipitation in April, Kris. Most of the plants got an early start. :)
DeleteBeautiful foliage. I'm envious of both the coleus and the hosta.
ReplyDeleteHi Robin: Most of the Hostas were here when we moved in many years ago. They seem to like the setting. :)
DeleteSo lush.. or luscious. It's beautiful, Beth.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Amelia. From the front, it looks like any other suburban lot. But the back is bordered by a woodland.
DeleteIt really looks great Beth. I love the greens. I do love ferns.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Carla. I haven't planted any Ferns in the ground (only a few in pots); they grow here naturally. I have divided some and given some away, though.
DeleteI do love all the ifferent shapes of the ferns. They certainly add interest to your garden
ReplyDeleteThe Ferns seem to define the edge between the partially shaded backyard and the woodland. It's always a joy to see them unfurling in the spring. :)
DeleteVery pretty pink calla. I have a different kind of wild violet. Very pretty, but mine are so invasive.
ReplyDeleteThere's something about Calla Lilies for me--such a graceful shape, colors, and patterns in the flowers. The Violets here are plentiful, too, but they're helping to control some of the non-native invasive groundcovers. They're lovely when they're blooming.
DeleteThe photos of the curving paths are lovely. I have lots of violets in my yard though the bloom is just over. I have many hostas aa well, though the rabbits have been chewing them up. Your woodland understory is so similar to my area!
ReplyDeleteHi Tom: Thanks! The rabbits eat our Hostas, too, but there are just so many Hostas that it serves as a kind of "trim." Let's see, you're in the Boston area, right? So our plant communities would be somewhat similar--particularly the woodland areas. They are special places, aren't they?
DeleteYou might give credit to Mother Nature for your garden but I think it is your green thumb that has done a fantastic job. It looks beautiful! I have wild violets in my shade garden also and they allow naughty weeds to join them. You have kept the unwanted out and designed a stunning place to relax.
ReplyDeleteJeannie@GetMeToTheCountry
Thank you, Jeannie. 😊 It's always a work in progress, isn't it? Every growing season is different, but it's fun to experiment, observe, and play with plants!
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