Most of my posts probably scream "flower addict" but foliage is really the dominant feature of my garden. That's clearest during the mid-to-late summer months when flowers retreat from view.
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| There are still a few flowers in the front garden but I think this photo shows the importance of foliage here. The swaths of chartreuse color are provided by Coleonema pulchellum 'Sunset Gold' and Duranta repens. The red tones of Leptospermum 'Copper Glow' are echoed in Pennisetum advena 'Rubrum' and Coprosma 'Fireburst'. Phormium 'Maori Queen' marries the chartreuse and red colors, helping to tie everything together. |
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| The large clumps of red fountain grass are more visible in this photo. The magenta seedpods of Cercis occidentalis and the red color of selected succulents on the front-facing slope pick up the red color of the grasses. |
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| The Coprosma 'Fireburst' shown in this photo in front of Phormium 'Maori Queen' and Euphorbia characias 'Black Pearl' was added recently to replace a Grevillea 'Pink Midget' which found this area a bit too dry. There are 2 other 'Fireburst'shrubs in the same bed already. |
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| Leucadendron 'Wilson's Wonder' provides more red/orange color in this section of the front garden closer to the south end of the house. Abelia 'Kaleidoscope' contributes a softer version of the same warm tones elsewhere in the bed and there are more red echoes in the distance, provided by Cotinus coggygria 'Royal Purple' and Pennisetum 'Fireworks'. The Leucadendron also echoes the chartreuse of the large Duranta behind it. |
There were a few individual foliage stand-outs elsewhere I want to highlight this month as well.
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| After nearly 4 years in this bed in the backyard, 2 of my Agave lophantha 'Quadicolor' have finally produced pups |
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| I planted this Westringia fruticosa 'Morning Light' in just the right spot near the front of the long border in the back garden. I'm planning to move 2 others forward this fall so they can also shine. |
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| Artemisia ludoviciana seedlings planted themselves in various areas of the garden. Unsure as to what they were, I moved them to this area in the cutting garden. They've become a bit tall for the space but their placement has been useful as I frequently include the foliage in floral arrangements as a filler. I also like how the foliage captures the late afternoon sun. |
Pam at
Digging hosts Foliage Follow-up each month after Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day. To see her August foliage picks and those of other gardeners, click
here.
All material © 2012-2017 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
