What we have here are a few branches of Berberis replicata, some Ceanothus ‘Blue Jeans’ and the new growth of Pyracantha.
‘Blue Jeans’ was stretching out into the driveway and it was all I could do to keep R from whacking away at it before it began to blue up and I could do double duty pruning and flower arranging. The flowers are still fairly tight buds. As they bloom out, this shrub will produce a cloud of blue.
The Pyracantha in the front hedgerow are still a bit gangly, but that makes them easier to access for cutting. They, like the Pieris, are at their best when the new leaves appear in striking shades of red.
Here’s what the mature ones look like along another fence line.
The blue and yellow theme continues, along the other side of Delusional drive, with a sea of Veronica peduncularis ‘Georgia Blue’, punctuated by the occasional yellow daffodil.
You have to look closely to notice the little Haworthia daffy’s, but they are one of my favorites.
Another reward for close inspection: the drupes from last year remain on the Berberis stems, adding another layer of interest and a deep burgundy accent.
So let’s have one last look at what I made of it all, then hop on over to see what Cathy (Rambling in the Garden) has in store for us this week.
Love that red foliage against the spring flowers!
I fell in love with my hubby when he had a big bunch of Photinia in a handmade vase in his bachelor pad (well, not only that)
What a big plot you have there, rickii! The pyracantha grown in the UK has much smaller leaves from yours I think – but don’t you think its coppery foliage seems to wrap around the rest of the contents of your vase like a big ribbon? Looks great with the ceanothus. Thanks for sharing
“Like a big ribbon”…what a fun way to think of it.
A pretty combination Ricki! I think Delusional drive has gotten a bad rap–looks lovely.
Thanks, Susie, but I do believe all gardeners are least a little bit delusional.
I love the Pyracantha! I don’t think I’ve ever seen any that tall.
They tend to become behemoths around here.
Lovely! I have a friend who would kill to be able to grow Ceanothus, but it just won’t do here. Oh well, something to love at a distance!
That’s how I feel about many of the SoCal plants.
Works for me, as long as I can stay ahead of the enthusiastic lopper.
Excellent combination! And I am so glad Andrew doesn’t have the inclination to prune, although he might occasionally suggest I do more of it.
I will remind you, from time to time, how lucky you are. But would I trade him in? Not on your chinny-chin-chin.
Blue and yellow – one of my favorite color combos!
I think I remember that about you from last year.
A joyous spray of blue and yellow punctuated by red. It’s beautiful as always!
I’m seeing why those branches don’t make it into bouquets often: they bloom out quickly, then start dropping petals and pollen. I guess the standards are standards for a reason.
all the primary colours – are so pleasing in the plant’s interpretation
Thanks for pointing that out, Diana. I hadn’t thought about the primaries, mostly because the plants’ interpretations put a nice twist on them that took the rawness away.
Lovely “dusty” color combo. I like the pop of the red leaves, definitely a treat in the arrangement.
I’m always partial to colors that are a little bit “dusty”…nice way to describe it, Rebecca.
A great combination Ricki. What a beautiful big Ceanothus shrub you have!
Fast growers, these California lilacs.