foliage takes center stage

Armeria maritima

Every once in a while the big box stores put out some very cool plants. I love the way the little tufts of Armeria maritima ‘Nifty Thrifty’ show up against the dark mulch. You may not be able to tell from the picture, but the grassy leaves are variegated with yellow-green and white.

Acanthus spinosa

Spiky leaves of Acanthus spinosa are every bit as decorative as the flower spikes. An added plus: the deer leave these alone, munching, instead, on the smoother foliage of A. mollis.

curry plant

A friend gave me two curry plants. This one sets off the peony foliage turning color and the dark Weigelia ‘Wine and Roses’ in the background. The other one is planted nearby and is a scraggly mess.

ffocul.jpg

Pinus densiflora ‘Oculus Draconis’ has produced cones for the first time. It will thus be forgiven for failing to maintain the stripes on its needles.

opuntia

That central paddle was all there was when I planted the Opuntia in the spring. At this rate it will take over the whole bed in no time. Something is nibbling on that paddle catching the sunlight. Any ideas? I have been unable to catch the culprit in the act.

Yucca ‘Bright Edge’

I had begun to think this berm was where plants went to die, but everything put here last spring is going great guns. The Yucca ‘Bright Edge’ is even surrounded by babies. I just hope when winter comes it will be kind.

Astrolepis sinuata

Astrolepis sinuata, also known as wavy cloak fern.

Glaucium flavum

Glaucium flavum, or Horn poppy.

I am actually a day ahead of schedule for once, but if you share a passion for foliage, you will want to visit Pam tomorrow to see her photos. By going to the comments you will gain entry to many other proud foliage growers. Have fun!

5 thoughts on “foliage takes center stage

  1. Great foliage ricki! I can’t believe anything would be brave enough to get so close to the Opuntia, all I have to do is look at mine and I’m covered in a thousand glochids. And I love the combo of the curry plant and the peony foliage (at least that’s what I think it is?)! Did your Glaucium flavum bloom this year? One of mine did and one didn’t. I was expecting yellow flowers but got orange (not complaining).

  2. Grace~Bravo, indeed!

    Loree~It seems like the new paddles take a while to develop sharpies (are they called glochids?), so the secret marauder might not be as daring as one might think.
    The Claucium flavum came from the fall HPSO sale, so it will probably bloom next year. I would be happier with orange, but the tag says yellow.

  3. Nice selections! ‘Bright Edge’ yucca has proved easily hardy down to 17 degrees last winter (planted in the ground, like yours). The color actually improves with cold weather.

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