Foliage Follow Up : November 2011

I had the perfect combination of foliage, light and free time today to take a few pictures for the monthly Foliage Follow Up hosted at Digging.


The temperatures have dipped close to freezing a few times and the fig leaves have responded. Soon, the leaves will fall off (or they'll look so ratty that I remove them), but for now, I'm enjoying the stained glass effect.


Overall, the leaves on the coral honeysuckle have started to turn yellow and dry out as the plant prepares for semi-dormancy. But on the vine I transplanted in this summer, new leaves are forming. I suppose the plant is taking advantage of the moderate temperatures and the opportunity to produce and store some food for next spring.


Have I mentioned how much I love the purple hyacinth vine? Only twice in the last two posts! Here's another reason I love it.


I used my gift certificate to Sunshine Landscape and Garden Center - thank you! - (more on my visit there later) to buy several new shade plants including this foxtail fern. It's only been in the ground for about two weeks and it's already put out a few new fronds.


In the veggie garden, Travis is growing Swiss chard - Bright Lights. Looks great and tastes good too. I've been using it like a salad green.


Here are two more new additions from Sunshine - Peter Pan agapanthus and fatsia or japanese aralia.


I planted the fatsia behind my black and blue salvia. When I was in Florida last month, I saw similar grouping using black and blue salvia and philodendron. The large leafed plant provide a nice canvas to show off the black and blue flowers. I'll keep you posted on how this combination looks this spring.


This weekend, I moved my four inland sea oat plants to the backyard. I heard on a garden show that they are perfect plants for the sun/shade transition point under a tree. Mine had been located near the trunk of a live oak and had been declining over the last few years. After hearing the radio show recommendation, I decided they were getting too much shade and relocated them to a part sun spot near the backyard arbor. We shall see how they fair.



My favorite purchase from my trip to Sunshine is this variegated flax lily. I divided the large plant I bought in two and put one part on each side of my water fountain (pictures to come). They brighten up the shady space so well, and as a bonus today, I noticed these tiny flowers on the plant for the first time. Lovely.

Setember 2011 Foliage Follow Up

The backyard peasants (sparrows and starlings) are loving the fruit on my neighbor's palm tree. Before the berries turn black, they look like bubbles in a champagne glass.

The foliage is doesn't provide much shade for humans but the dead fronds give shelter to birds and bats. When the wind is blowing, the leaves look and sound so relaxing. From our upstairs guest room, when you wake up, the first thing you see is the top of this palm and blue sky.

To get your fill of other  inspiring foliage, check out Pam's blog Digging, where she holds a monthly link party. Today, she is showing off an agave that looks like a squid.

Foliage Follow Up

On the heals of Garden Bloggers Bloom Day comes Foliage Follow Up.



Day or night, this agave has served me well in its hanging basket. I've tried other plants in this spot, and the closest I've come to success was portulaca, but even it couldn't manager more than five days without water so like Amy, I've decided to get real with my container selections this summer.



Here's a rose that provides two for one beauty - the new purple foliage looks almost like tubular flowers (at least that what a hummingbird thought the other night) and the blooms in the spring are lovely too.

For more standout foliage, check out the links shared at Digging today.