Changing seasons, changing focal points

Today's blog post is made up of photos taken around the garden as the light changes, tender plants move to protected spots, and other plants move in to take their place. In other words, changing focal points. First up, the evening sun on the trunks of the Hibiscus syriacus. Glowing like this they look so much more interesting than they actually are.There are three small black containers hanging on that hibiscus, two of them planted with Pyrrosia lingua. I love how the rhizomes are growing out, and hugging the pot.
Since the pyrrosia are hardy and the pot is wide at the top (so it's less likely to break if the soil freezes briefly and expands) I leave these out on all but the coldest days. They also get moved nearer the pathway, where they'll be seen and enjoyed. Over the warmer months this area is home to less-hardy ferns and bromeliads. 
Because of possible freeze damage (for the plants and the pots) I change out the ceramic containers on front of the garage about this time every year.
Metal planters (which are actually clip-on lampshades) are filled with a mix of things, including Lonicera crassifolia and a hardy opuntia (whose tag I cannot find!).
I'm also experimenting and seeing if this gifted mangave and a couple Agave 'Blue Glow' pups might defy the odds and live over the winter with the excellent drainage these containers provide. 
Before you think I've completely lost my mind I should say these containers are easy to move to a warmer spot for a few days, if need be.
The big bromeliad basket and it's smaller side-kick are now in the basement.
I didn't want to look at an empty column all winter, so this large disc planted with Pyrrosia cf. lingua MD 10-37 (yep, that's it's name) was moved into place. The shorter dish holds mosses.
Even after the tropical nepenthes were moved indoors there's still quite a collection on the bench in the corner. Eventually I plan to move the pseudopanax and aeonium into the shade pavilion greenhouse, the carnivorous plants will stay out in the weather but in a more protected spot near the greenhouse.
The golden rodgersia in the corner have become a focal point, when they were green they just faded into the background.
I brought this Rhododendron 'McNabii' home from our blogger's plant swap last spring. I finally realized I wasn't going to find a good spot for it in the ground before winter, so it went into this sturdy pot. Fingers crossed it makes it because I really like that foliage and it's flowers are supposed to have a great scent.
The bromeliad trashcan lids are gone, but I capped the columns with metal oil pans and newly purchased pyrrosia (can't stop, won't stop), and Bergenia ciliata in a heavy terracotta pot.

Love those big hairy leaves!
Eventually I found other homes for the pyrrosia so a pot of "hardy" billbergia went up there instead. Moving containers around as the garden changes with the season keeps me interested and engaged.
These pyrrosia have been in this spot since early June and they'll stay in place until truly cold weather threatens.
Ditto for these on the side of the garage. 
Did you notice the forked leaf (frond?) on the plant in the large circle?
This photo was taken hanging out a window at the back of the house, I loved the light and everything looked so lush. Those moss covered branches are the same Hibiscus syriacus that started this post.
The biggest focal point change of all is the building of the shade pavilion greenhouse, which took place back on October 26th.
All the dry-loving plants went in right away, but I'm taking my time with the others, slowly working them in.
The Phlebodium aureum is enjoying the spotlight on one of the tall columns that used to hold the bromeliad bowls, it's showing off it's powder-blue fronds.In the same area there's a new plant down at ground level that I'm hoping will quickly grow to cover part of the back fence...
A local blog reader asked if I'd like this Parthenocissus henryana (aka silvervein creeper) she rooted from her plant and I jumped at the chance. 
I bought a small Parthenocissus at the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden last July, but this one is larger and has great color. Hopefully between the two of them I'll get some fence coverage!