So many memes, so little time…so, once again , I’m putting three related themes into one post. I’ll give you the links at the end.
Starting with my favorite plant in the garden right now, Pinus thunbergiana ‘Thunderhead’. Close up in spring, it’s the “candles” that arrest the eye. Pinching them back results in a lower growing tree.
But I love the candles, and it isn’t strictly necessary to choose between sprawling and upright. The tall part has been let go, while the shorter part has been “candled”. I think it results in an even closer resemblance to the cumulus clouds for which it was named.
Houz did a nice write-up about this favorite. You can find it HERE.
It took me a while to warm to the idea of introducing Yuccas into Delusional Drive. Now I couldn’t be without the textural contribution of their strong, sword-shaped leaves. This one came from Means, so I don’t have a full ID. Just Spanish Dagger and variegated.
My first Yucca came from Ryan at our first bloggers’ swap: Y. recurvifolia.
This could easily occupy my “favorite” slot. It was labeled Senecio greyi, but I think Loree calls it Brachyglotis greyi. Whatever. Those silvery edges make it a winner as far as I’m concerned.
R is the opposite of a plant snob. He cares not if a plant is common as dirt, so he’s always slipping in things like this Mugho pine. I must admit to loving it.
Most of the year the variegation on Euonymous ‘Emeral ‘N’ Gold’ is yellow and green, but it blushes prettily in the cold months.
Dramatic from beginning to end, Dracunculus vulgaris is pushing up through the woodland duff, already showing the distinctive patterning of its future stems.
The Favorite Plant in the Garden meme is the brainchild of Danger Garden, where Loree will host a roundup of faves you have featured through the month on the last Friday. Pam, of Digging hosts Foliage Follow Up. It is targeted for the day after Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day, but as you can tell by my late entry, the rules are loose. You are welcome to join in when you can. A similar meme from across the pond is hosted by Christina. It falls on the 22nd of each month, so why not note that on your calendar and give it a try.
What a beautiful and diverse line-up you’ve featured! I do prefer Senecio greyi to Brachyglottis greyi (one sounds like something found in a warm sunny place, while the other sounds like a sound a cat would make coughing up a hair-ball) but have gone with the latter because that’s what I read the rule makers were saying. Maybe I’ll just toss their opinions to the wind.
Loree~I notice a lot of people in the know sticking with old nomenclature, so I think we can get away with it. Your description of the sound might help me remember the new name tho.
I think you should toss ’em to the wind – Senecio sounds endlessly much nicer. Same with whatever they’re calling Asters these days, methinks!
Anna!Consider ’em tossed.
You have an artist’s eye and you help me see the beauty in plants that I’ve never considered. I love your Thunderhead.
Laura~That’s our job: revealing things to one another.
I must confess to having a soft spot for Mugo pines too – there’s just something about them. Such lovely foliage you have – this month I struggled with finding something new to post. That Senecio (see – I think Loree nailed it with the cat vomit comparison, and refuse to call it that b-word) is fantastic. I love its silvery edges!
Anna~We just have to keep buying plants so that we’ll continue to have new things to post. How’s that for rationalization?
I love the Thunderhead Pine. I’m tempted every time I see one in a nursery.
Whatever you call it, the Senicio/brachyglotis is gorgeous.
Megan~I had to search high and low to find mine but they are now pretty common. And yes, the senecio is blissfully unaware of the name game swirling about it.
I like Mugo pines too. They’re occasionally seen here but are rare. Pines of any kind are rare here actually because our soil is so alkaline. So I enjoy seeing yours! And once you start adding yuccas you’ll start looking at agaves, and then you’ll become a full-fledged spike addict. Beware!
Pam~I don’t have Loree’s luck with agaves or I would already be there.
Dracunculus vulgaris is indeed dramatic from its first emergence, like a green leopard. Also, such a great name. It suggests a Vulgar Dracula – like Dracula wearing gold chains and a Hawaiian shirt.
Jason~What an image you paint with words.
Love the Brachyglotis! I love the way it appears to have frost-edged foliage. That is my favorite plant in this post, and I want some in my garden!
Beth~Only too happy to spread the word.
The Pinus thunbergiana and Euonymous are both fantastic performers. I’m definitely going to have to hunt some of these down for my garden!
Matt~Both should be easy to find.