Mushrooms and Berries, in unexpected places

This is the second winter I've used these cheap woven hanging planters from IKEA (made from water hyacinth, according to their website). For some reason the Maidenhair Ferns I planted in them this fall aren't happy, the ones in the ground look great so it's not the weather. The little Sedum is fine, so I would think that rules out too much rain. Dunno.

But the interesting thing isn't what's growing (or not growing) in the container...it's what's growing on the container. Ladies and Gentlemen we have mushrooms...

Lots of mushrooms.

They're kinda cool don't you think?

Since there's plenty more rain in the forecast I predict continued growth.

At least something is enjoying the nonstop wet conditions.

Heading into the back garden the other say something vibrantly blue caught my eye in a small patch of Ophiopogon japonicus 'Nanus' (dwarf mondo grass).

Little tiny berries...

The black berries on Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Nigrescens' (black mondo grass) are held up above the foliage on strong stems, I think I like this hidden approach better. Although I guess with black berries and black foliage you wouldn't really see those berries if they weren't held proud.

These two unexpected garden surprises are reminders that next Friday, January 29th (the last Friday of the month), brings the return of my "Favorite Plant" feature, after it's holiday hiatus. Won't you join in the fun and share photos of the plants that stood out in your garden during the month of January?

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