foliage stars in December

Oxydendrum arboreum

A very few things, like this Oxydendrum arboreum still cling to a few leaves as they flame out in a blaze of glory.

Phlomus skeletons with blueberry foliage

Here the skeletal remains of Phlomus russeliana flower stalks provide the perfect foil for the glowing foliage of the blueberry bushes.

Euonymous ‘Emerald N Gold’

Cold weather brings a blush to always decorative Euonymous ‘Emerald N Gold’.

Stachys ‘Helen Von Stein’

Unlike the more common Lambs’ Ears, Stachys ‘Helen Von Stein’ holds up pretty well through the winter months.

Stachys byzantium

See what I mean? Here’s Helen’s cousin, S. byzantium, looking a bit under the weather.

giant sequoia grove

Our little grove of giant sequoias is growing up and beginning to fill its role of winter interest.

Chamaecyparis ‘Barry’s Silver’

Another winter charmer is Chamaecyparis ‘Barry’s Silver’, especially when it is spangled with raindrops.

lichen covered fence

As leaves fall, it becomes easier to notice details like the lichen covering an old fence, here surrounded by the low-growing native salaal.

moss on fencepost

Or the moss taking up residence in a weathered fencepost. Our neighbor, who likes everything neat and tidy, wanted to replace all of these posts with those bright orange, pressure-treated 4×4 numbers, but we convinced him to spare a few of these. Like some of us, it has taken years for these cedar sentinels to develop this much character.

Every month, you can count on Pam at Digging to provide a portal to other collections of foliar delights.

8 thoughts on “foliage stars in December

  1. Alison~If only I could get Jim (the neighbor, and a very nice man) to read these comments.

    Pam~Yes, I love the way subtle players get the attention during these months.

    Peter~Rain…I love it, but don’t tell Loree.

    Scott~I love that combo too.

  2. Beautiful, your garden looks so green. Guess that’s what actual rain does.
    The blueberry leaves turn gorgeous colors.

    That kind of moss is not possible here so it’s very special to see it there.

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