So this is it, the last Friday in August. What the, really? Around these parts — and since we don't have kids (no "back to school") — September is still very much summer, so I'm not quite in panic mode yet...
As is my tradition for the last Friday of the month I'm gonna share a few favorites. Funny most of these are in the shady parts of the garden. Ya, it's been hot here the last couple of weeks (finally). First we're taking a look at that small variegated Farfugium...
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I love it! Picked up at Cistus Nursery recently, here it is still at the nursery — or rather I think that was a couple of plants — when I was holding the beauty contest to see which one got to come home with me...
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The Cistus description: "Farfugium japonicum 'Argenteum— an evergreen form in cultivation for many years though never common, this slow grower for dappled shade and moist soil produces 6-8" delicately rounded leaves streaked dark green and white. Great plant for containers or to add brightness to a shade spot. Frost hardy and evergreen to mid USDA zone 8; regrows in spring with mulch in zone 7."
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I don't really feel like "streaked dark green and white" convays the magic happening on those leaves. The Joy Creek Nursery description does a little bit better job: "The 10-inch cupped leaves of Farfugium japonicum 'Argenteum' are very thick and have irregular cream white margins and some blue green streaks in their centers. Their undersides and the surfaces of young leaves are coated in fine hairs. The purple stems are woolly. Yellow daisy-like flowers late in the season." Ugh! Those damn yellow "daisy-like" flowers!!!
It's in a container still because I'm scheming on a new planting area which I'll probably do in the fall. That Ligularia to it's left will be part of it too. Moving on to the next "fav" see that dramatically variegated Aspidistra at the bottom of this shot?...
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It was a gift from the Outlaw a last year and I couldn't decide where exactly to plant it, thus it's living in a container too. I'm hopeful it can be a part of the future shade planting alluded to above.
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Aspidistra elatior 'Variegata' is hardy in USDA Zones 7-10, wants part sun to shade (mine is in bright shade) and even moisture. It should get those strange ground level flowers someday.
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Next I want to talk about that purple business, in the green hanging planter. I think it might go by the name Tradescantia zebrina var. purpusii?
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I bought it in a 4" pot simply labeled "annual"...it's one of those "grandma" plants that I used to run from, but this year looked at with fresh eyes. I needed something that would contrast with the odd green of the ceramic pot and not mind being in the shade.
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Although the sun does hit the leaves every so often and really light them up — the back sides even sparkle.
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And for only $1.99 it's performed marvelously! (and it's grown A LOT) Heck I might even take cuttings and call it a houseplant over the winter, we shall see.
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Next up is another gift from Peter (aka the Outlaw) Strobilanthes gossypinus...
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I first saw this plant at the NWFG Show last February and immediately had a bad case of plant lust. I never expected it to be fulfilled so soon! Peter was kind enough to grab one for me at a spring plant sale where Dan Hinkly's Windcliff Plants were for sale. Dan's description: "Sensational evergreen species from South Africa is sadly only appropriate for container culture in our region, but long lived and easy to overwinter in a cool, bright location. Spidery webbed leaves in tones of mercury possess a near iridescent like quality in the waning light of evening. Full sun and even moisture"
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I think it partners very nicely with the Rhododendron pachysanthum I recently purchased from Gossler Farms nursery.
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One more "fav" to talk about...Aeschynomene fluitans (Giant Sensitive Fern).
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Early in the spring I started to get another bad case of red algae bloom in the stock tank and purchased several water hyacinth to help combat the problem. They did a great job put I never have really like the look of them so finally gathered them all up and tossed 'em a few weeks ago. I was yearning for another of the Giant Sensitive Fern (last year was my first year growing it, but it died over the winter) and was lucky enough to score one at Portland Nursery on Division St.
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The foliage on it's long ropey arms is what I love about this plant...
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Eventually yellow pea-like flowers will bloom and black pods might follow. Plus it's a very fast grower. Both good things...
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So those are a few of the plants I'm loving in my August garden, what about you???
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All material © 2009-2016 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
As is my tradition for the last Friday of the month I'm gonna share a few favorites. Funny most of these are in the shady parts of the garden. Ya, it's been hot here the last couple of weeks (finally). First we're taking a look at that small variegated Farfugium...
I love it! Picked up at Cistus Nursery recently, here it is still at the nursery — or rather I think that was a couple of plants — when I was holding the beauty contest to see which one got to come home with me...
The Cistus description: "Farfugium japonicum 'Argenteum— an evergreen form in cultivation for many years though never common, this slow grower for dappled shade and moist soil produces 6-8" delicately rounded leaves streaked dark green and white. Great plant for containers or to add brightness to a shade spot. Frost hardy and evergreen to mid USDA zone 8; regrows in spring with mulch in zone 7."
I don't really feel like "streaked dark green and white" convays the magic happening on those leaves. The Joy Creek Nursery description does a little bit better job: "The 10-inch cupped leaves of Farfugium japonicum 'Argenteum' are very thick and have irregular cream white margins and some blue green streaks in their centers. Their undersides and the surfaces of young leaves are coated in fine hairs. The purple stems are woolly. Yellow daisy-like flowers late in the season." Ugh! Those damn yellow "daisy-like" flowers!!!
It's in a container still because I'm scheming on a new planting area which I'll probably do in the fall. That Ligularia to it's left will be part of it too. Moving on to the next "fav" see that dramatically variegated Aspidistra at the bottom of this shot?...
It was a gift from the Outlaw a last year and I couldn't decide where exactly to plant it, thus it's living in a container too. I'm hopeful it can be a part of the future shade planting alluded to above.
Aspidistra elatior 'Variegata' is hardy in USDA Zones 7-10, wants part sun to shade (mine is in bright shade) and even moisture. It should get those strange ground level flowers someday.
Next I want to talk about that purple business, in the green hanging planter. I think it might go by the name Tradescantia zebrina var. purpusii?
I bought it in a 4" pot simply labeled "annual"...it's one of those "grandma" plants that I used to run from, but this year looked at with fresh eyes. I needed something that would contrast with the odd green of the ceramic pot and not mind being in the shade.
Although the sun does hit the leaves every so often and really light them up — the back sides even sparkle.
And for only $1.99 it's performed marvelously! (and it's grown A LOT) Heck I might even take cuttings and call it a houseplant over the winter, we shall see.
Next up is another gift from Peter (aka the Outlaw) Strobilanthes gossypinus...
I first saw this plant at the NWFG Show last February and immediately had a bad case of plant lust. I never expected it to be fulfilled so soon! Peter was kind enough to grab one for me at a spring plant sale where Dan Hinkly's Windcliff Plants were for sale. Dan's description: "Sensational evergreen species from South Africa is sadly only appropriate for container culture in our region, but long lived and easy to overwinter in a cool, bright location. Spidery webbed leaves in tones of mercury possess a near iridescent like quality in the waning light of evening. Full sun and even moisture"
I think it partners very nicely with the Rhododendron pachysanthum I recently purchased from Gossler Farms nursery.
One more "fav" to talk about...Aeschynomene fluitans (Giant Sensitive Fern).
Early in the spring I started to get another bad case of red algae bloom in the stock tank and purchased several water hyacinth to help combat the problem. They did a great job put I never have really like the look of them so finally gathered them all up and tossed 'em a few weeks ago. I was yearning for another of the Giant Sensitive Fern (last year was my first year growing it, but it died over the winter) and was lucky enough to score one at Portland Nursery on Division St.
The foliage on it's long ropey arms is what I love about this plant...
Eventually yellow pea-like flowers will bloom and black pods might follow. Plus it's a very fast grower. Both good things...
So those are a few of the plants I'm loving in my August garden, what about you???
All material © 2009-2016 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.