Who says we need flowers to create interesting tableaux in the garden? Acaena inermis ‘purpurea’ keeps its color longer than any blossom. Here we see it weaving through Euphorbia ‘Tasmanian Tiger’, which holds its own with green and white variegated foliage.
When we choose Rhododendrons, it is primarily for their leaves. The newest addition R sinagrande has the largest of the lot.
A number of unnamed Rhodys dot the woodland. These have medium-sized leaves, and simulate those found growing wild around the base of Mt Hood.
The smallest leaves in our Rhody collection are on R oreotrephes. The shrub is also smallish, and puts out a smattering of pale lavender blooms from time to time all summer long.
Pieris ‘Fire n Ice’ sends forth new growth to equal any flower in shades of pink, fading to pale yellow-green and then developing into deeper green edged in white. Sometimes all of these phenomena can be seen on the plant at once.
I wrote down the name of this plant, but, alas, I can’t find my notes. Anyway, it is a member of the tomato family.
And here’s another view. The surface of the leaf is almost velvety, punctuated by lethal looking bright orange thorns.
Speaking of thorns, here’s another prickly character. I picked this up at Janet’s sale in the spring, and it was just the one lobe in the middle. At this rate, it will take over the entire berm in no time.
Sharing that berm is this Yucca ‘Bright Edge’, with sedums and Oryostachys blending in with the gravel at its feet.
Pam, at Digging has created the venue for leafy dreams. Hop on over to see.
Oh things are looking very spiky and big leafed in your garden Ricki! I love it. Especially the R sinagrande…remind me, has this one been through a winter with you?
Loree~We plan to fuss over it like a pair of maiden aunts in this, its first winter with us.
Thank you, I didn’t know the name of that var. euphorbia, I like that R. sinagrande. where did it come from
I think I remember that spiky tomato from the annies annuals catalog ?
Linda~The Rhody Society has two big sales in the spring at Crystal Springs. One is always on Mothers Day, making it easy to remember. The other sale is a bit earlier. They always have an interesting selection, and experts on hand, ready to talk and advise.
I seem to remember getting the spiky tomato from Windy Hills Nursery. It is an annual, but I bring it in to overwinter.
Ricki R. sinagrande is going on my list. I’ve got one rhodie on steroids already–kind of like your second one mentioned but I need more leaves in my garden, darn it.
I think that is a spiky Solanum of some kind.
Love all your leaves.
Ricki, I think that mystery plant is Solanum pyracanthum. I grew one ca. 15 years ago and I still get seedlings from the parent plant showing themselves around the garden. Persistent, just like their tomato cousins. Some plants I just wish they wouldn’t flower because the flowers just spoil the effect of the foliage. I like you leaf collection!
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James~Yes, that’s it! I knew I would know it if I heard it. Funny, how things we baby along become weeds for you.
I keep looking at that euphorbia, I should say, lusting after it…. I think I need it.
Deborah~Got mine at a big box store for about $4.00. It looks dead from time to time, but always seems to bounce back.