Friday, December 16, 2011

Foliage Follow-up, December 2011

I couldn't decide what to showcase for December’s Foliage Follow-up. First I thought I’d do a photo inventory of the in-ground Agaves, for comparisons sake come spring with sort of a “who survived and how they’re looking” post. But I was afraid you’re all bored with photos of my Agaves.

So then I thought I’d share what my Echium collection is looking like…both first thing in the chilly morning (25/27/30 degrees...it’s not pretty, think a sad wet long haired dog), and then later when they warm up. The change is remarkable and I’m so happy they all still appear to be alive! (both of these shots are after they’ve warmed up) Don’t you think they look like sea creatures? But lordy I’ve been talking a lot about the Echiums lately too, no those just won’t do. Then I thought…oh! A Prickly Pear post…they are looking fabulous right now! But an entire post of nothing but Opuntia paddles might be a little dull. I could show how the Yucca rostrata shimmer in the sun with a slight breeze… But it’s hard to capture a breeze with a still photo. I’m loving the Manzanita right now… But I talk about them a lot too… Oh maybe this little pairing, after all I love chocolate brown and chartreuse, and I don’t think I’ve ever taken a picture of it. And the Sempervivum look good too… But then maybe the Fatsia polycarpa ‘Needham’s Lace’ would be a worthy subject all on its own? Or the Loquat, now that the big ole Musa Basjoo has been wrapped and pulled out of the picture and it’s the star? Or I could go with the Yucca aloifolia 'Purpurea'…after all they’re showing great color. But then again maybe I should go with the Agaves...

Visit Pam at her blog Digging for links to what others decided to feature for Foliage Follow-up!

15 comments:

  1. LOL, great device to show off your collection! I definitely don't get tired of your enthusiasm.

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  2. Wow! I've never seen Fatsia polycarpa ‘Needham’s Lace’, that's a must have. Is it as hardy as your generic variety? Nice tour, your echium doesn't look as miserable as mine, a tad jealous.

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  3. Love the Yucca purpurea...fabulous color!

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  4. Love it all -- especially the rosy 'Purpurea'. I had no idea yuccas were available in that color!

    I'm going to have to read some of your old posts, as you have a lot of plants that I'm not familiar with at all.

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  5. As far as I'm concerned, you can talk about your agaves and echiums all day long. I'm always inspired by your photos!

    My Echium wildpretii bloomed this spring and produced copious amounts of seeds, but the seedlings are still tiny. No bloom until 2013, I'm afraid.

    Gerhard
    :: Bamboo and More ::

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  6. Those Echiums look great! So what if they look a little bedraggled early in the day - with sun like today's you can enjoy them all perked up! I've noticed my Meliathus major does the same thing (yes, I can't bring myself to cut it back yet, but soon, soon...)

    Great to see the Loquat having its day, too. I'm so glad you got one and I'm following your progress with it with great interest!

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  7. I'm not tired of any of these, but the Yucca aloifolia 'Purpurea' is my fave this time. Great color! Thanks for joining in again for Foliage Follow-Up, Loree.

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  8. Bored? Never! Your indecision led to a fun post, as usual.

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  9. The Yucca aloifolia 'Purpurea' is a real knockout. Wow!

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  10. No way that I can pick a favorite out of all of those great plants! I really like the combos between broadleaf evergreens and the spiky side of life...nice...peligroso en Espanol!

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  11. Fatsia polycarpa just shot to the top of my wish list! Why is it so hard to find?!?!?

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  12. I can revisit all your old favs anytime. No worries!

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  13. I'm new to your blog via Rhone Street Garden. I know these plants give plenty of opportunity for dramatic photography but yours delivers. But my award goes to the aptly named sea creatures.

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  14. Shirley, it didn't start as such but it certainly ended up as such.

    Nat, this is it's first winter in the ground...so we'll see about the hardiness...and so far so good with the Echium, if it gets much cooler though...

    Thanks Scott!

    Alan, I do love those Yucca...and hope you enjoy some older posts!

    Gerard, I had an Echium bloom this spring too, but the whole bloom collapsed before before it could set seed.

    MulchMaid, I'll keep you updated as to it's health (the Loquat).

    Pam, thank y for being the hostess.

    Glad you enjoyed ricki!

    Patricia, that's why I bought seven of them...one dead, six live on.

    DD, thank you!

    Justin, I don't know...I was the lucky recipient of one from Cistus nursery, otherwise I would have been still hunting too.

    Jenn, thank you, I'm glad to hear that.

    Patrick, that means a lot knowing you came from Scott's blog...he is an amazing photographer!

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  15. Thank you for your post and blog, I lived in Oregon for a little over four years. I'm very new to gardening and love these plants. I love to see what will grow here!

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