While out shooting foliage, this photo rose to the top to be featured as this week’s Wednesday Vignette, hosted by Anna (Flutter and Hum).
For this month’s Foliage Follow-up, hosted by Pam (Digging), I was attracted to newly emerging leaves and needles. Picea abies ‘Nidiformis’, or Bird’s Nest Spruce, is a uniformly colored background plant most of the year, but in early spring the new growth is a fresh spring green that raises its value considerably.
This little procumbent deodor cedar is interesting by virtue of its form, but even more so right now, with the new needles coming in.
Right after Pieris japonica ‘Mountain Fire’ finishes blooming (with flowers that look to me like dirty handkerchieves) the real show begins, earning it its name.
Here we have the Cotinus blushing bright red before putting on its ‘Purple Robe’ and cozying up to ‘Thunderhead’ pine sporting the “candles” that will become new foliage (at least the ones that escape being snapped off to control the growth pattern).
Ending, where we began, with Fagus sylvatica ‘Pendula Purpurea’. It’s at its very best when the leaves are brand new and coppery and pleated like this.
That beech is stunning!!! For as much as I love new candles on conifers and Cotinus in general, that one takes the cake. I agree with you on the flowers on the Pieris. The new leaves, though, are to die for!
Sounds like we are sympatico on all points (why is that no surprise/)
The Pieris and the Fagus have such colorful foliage. Perfect examples for Foliage Follow-Up. I always enjoy seeing the new growth on conifers, too.
This leaf and needle activity even beats out the flowering show in my book.
I love all the beautiful copper shades!
Coppery tones are among my favorites.
I remember seeing quite a few gorgeous Fagus sylvatica ‘Pendula Purpurea’ when in Toronto for last year’s Fling. It’s a good one and you show it off so nicely.
Were they growing vertically? Mine does, but the label shows something low and mounding. I don’t think I ever looked at the label until yesterday, when I wanted to get the name right.
The new leaves of Fagus sylvatica ‘Pendula Purpurea’ look like little pleated fans as they unfurl. The new grown of sometimes dull-leaved evergreens can give an amazing shot of colour.
My thoughts, exactly!
Love the beech foliage, both the color and texture.
Me too!
I should have thought to include the newly emerging needles on my Japanese plum yews, Ricki, as your post reminds me. Love that bright green! Your pics are full of foliage delight. Thanks for sharing.
I bet they’ll still be looking fairly new for the next FFU. I’d like to see them.
You’ve used these spring wonders to great visual advantage in your garden! Stunning!
You are too kind…but I’m soaking it up.