As assembled this post I couldn't help but hear my dad reciting the old rhyme "red sky at night, sailors' delight, red sky at morning sailors take warning" it's one of those childhood memories that takes me back...
But of course we're here to talk about plants.
I picked this beauty up at last weekend's Rare Plant Research open house and sale.
![]()
It's a pineapple, and as many plants at RPR are it was unlabeled. Still I had to have it. A little research has lead me to believe it's Ananus lucidus or Ananas lucidus 'Lava Burst'.
![]()
It is a beautiful plant, both the top and bottom of the leaves have incredible detail. Naturally it's not hardy here in Portland so it will be living the life of a container plant, winters indoors, summer on the patio. Hopefully I can give it the light it needs to stay this vibrant color.
![]()
While admiring my new purchase I got to thinking about the fact there are a few other reds in my garden that I've been appreciating...and thus my May favorites post was born. It's no secret that I have a passion for dark purple/burgundy/black foliage but now it appears red is also making it's way into my heart.
![]()
On the left is a new-to-me NOID Bromeliad, on the right is Woodwardia unigemmata. I am quite obsessed with this fern that puts out new growth in shades of red. Isn't it fabulous!?
![]()
It can get quite large too, with plants eventually reaching 2-ft tall and 5-6-ft wide. Ya, I may not have properly taken that size thing into account when I planted it.
![]()
Oh and get this, small baby ferns are produced at the leaf tips!
![]()
The Bromeliad was picked up at a private plant sale a few weeks back. Word went out that a local gardener was moving and needed to sell plants, garden art, and tools. I looked back through my photos to see if there was anything I had to have and remembered how taken I was with this plant...and it was there waiting for me, now it's mine. Score!
![]()
Next to it is that Ligularia dentata ‘Othello’ I picked up earlier in the month. Now it's true purple is the dominant color but...
![]()
There are reddish tones.
![]()
This one is hardy to USDA Zone 5 and prefers part shade. It's also a slug magnet, something I've overcome so far (knocks on wood) by planting it in a container set on gravel.
![]()
The new growth on Epimedium wushanense leans to red (zones 5-9, shade).
![]()
And while Podophyllum 'Red Panda' is a little less red now...
![]()
It was redder earlier in the season (hardy to zone 7, shade, likes moist soil)
![]()
Mammillaria spinosissima 'rubrispina' (aka "Red Headed Irishman") picked up from Alison at a recent plant swap.
![]()
And the new growth on my Rhododendron 'Ebony Pearl'...decidedly red, which will fade to a dark purple with time (zones 6-9, part shade, even moisture).
![]()
Another NOID Bromeliad, with a red blush.
![]()
And finally a couple of stressed succulents, showing their displeasure with a red face. This an unlabeled Aloe via IKEA...
![]()
And my spiky Aloe marlothii.
![]()
What plants are looking lovely in your May garden? Please tell us about them!
All material © 2009-2016 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
But of course we're here to talk about plants.
I picked this beauty up at last weekend's Rare Plant Research open house and sale.
It's a pineapple, and as many plants at RPR are it was unlabeled. Still I had to have it. A little research has lead me to believe it's Ananus lucidus or Ananas lucidus 'Lava Burst'.
It is a beautiful plant, both the top and bottom of the leaves have incredible detail. Naturally it's not hardy here in Portland so it will be living the life of a container plant, winters indoors, summer on the patio. Hopefully I can give it the light it needs to stay this vibrant color.
While admiring my new purchase I got to thinking about the fact there are a few other reds in my garden that I've been appreciating...and thus my May favorites post was born. It's no secret that I have a passion for dark purple/burgundy/black foliage but now it appears red is also making it's way into my heart.
On the left is a new-to-me NOID Bromeliad, on the right is Woodwardia unigemmata. I am quite obsessed with this fern that puts out new growth in shades of red. Isn't it fabulous!?
It can get quite large too, with plants eventually reaching 2-ft tall and 5-6-ft wide. Ya, I may not have properly taken that size thing into account when I planted it.
Oh and get this, small baby ferns are produced at the leaf tips!
The Bromeliad was picked up at a private plant sale a few weeks back. Word went out that a local gardener was moving and needed to sell plants, garden art, and tools. I looked back through my photos to see if there was anything I had to have and remembered how taken I was with this plant...and it was there waiting for me, now it's mine. Score!
Next to it is that Ligularia dentata ‘Othello’ I picked up earlier in the month. Now it's true purple is the dominant color but...
There are reddish tones.
This one is hardy to USDA Zone 5 and prefers part shade. It's also a slug magnet, something I've overcome so far (knocks on wood) by planting it in a container set on gravel.
The new growth on Epimedium wushanense leans to red (zones 5-9, shade).
And while Podophyllum 'Red Panda' is a little less red now...
It was redder earlier in the season (hardy to zone 7, shade, likes moist soil)
Mammillaria spinosissima 'rubrispina' (aka "Red Headed Irishman") picked up from Alison at a recent plant swap.
And the new growth on my Rhododendron 'Ebony Pearl'...decidedly red, which will fade to a dark purple with time (zones 6-9, part shade, even moisture).
Another NOID Bromeliad, with a red blush.
And finally a couple of stressed succulents, showing their displeasure with a red face. This an unlabeled Aloe via IKEA...
And my spiky Aloe marlothii.
What plants are looking lovely in your May garden? Please tell us about them!
All material © 2009-2016 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.