My favorite plant this week is Corokia x virgata 'Sunsplash', an evergreen shrub originating from New Zealand. I picked it up last fall and put it in the front garden. I wish I'd bought more. I also wish I'd underplanted it with something that played up its wonderful variegated foliage.
The problem with capturing its beauty in a photograph is probably mostly the fault of the photographer. You can't see the shrub's twisty silver-gray stems well in the photograph shown above, although they're readily visible in person. The plant's shadow may give you a better idea of its shape.
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My plant is still relatively small, about 2 feet (61 cm) tall but, in time it may grow more than twice that height and up to 3 feet (1 meter) wide. It's drought tolerant but it can take regular water as well which will be an advantage if El Niño brings heavy rains to California this winter as more and more forecasters are predicting.
In addition to the lovely contorted silver gray stems, the plant's small leaves are prettily variegated in shades of green, yellow, and pink that play off the Phormium 'Maori Queen' I've placed nearby. I surrounded the shrub with silver groundcovers but I'm going to look for other plants that will help bring out the colors of the leaves rather than the stems.
Loree at danger garden does a better job than I do in photographing her favorite plants. Check today's post to find her July favorites wrap-up. Click here if you want a look at my favorite from last week, Campanula primulifolia.
All material © 2012-2015 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
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| Corokia x virgata 'Sunsplash' in situ in my front garden |
The problem with capturing its beauty in a photograph is probably mostly the fault of the photographer. You can't see the shrub's twisty silver-gray stems well in the photograph shown above, although they're readily visible in person. The plant's shadow may give you a better idea of its shape.
My plant is still relatively small, about 2 feet (61 cm) tall but, in time it may grow more than twice that height and up to 3 feet (1 meter) wide. It's drought tolerant but it can take regular water as well which will be an advantage if El Niño brings heavy rains to California this winter as more and more forecasters are predicting.
In addition to the lovely contorted silver gray stems, the plant's small leaves are prettily variegated in shades of green, yellow, and pink that play off the Phormium 'Maori Queen' I've placed nearby. I surrounded the shrub with silver groundcovers but I'm going to look for other plants that will help bring out the colors of the leaves rather than the stems.
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| The mulch isn't doing anything to bring out the color of the leaves |
Loree at danger garden does a better job than I do in photographing her favorite plants. Check today's post to find her July favorites wrap-up. Click here if you want a look at my favorite from last week, Campanula primulifolia.
All material © 2012-2015 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party