Tuesday, October 6, 2015

The Ornamental Cabbage and Kale Challenge, in my garden

You knew my ornamental cabbage and kale plantings would include Agaves right?

Last week I announced the Ornamental Cabbage and Kale Challenge. I've had a shift in attitude about how I think of these plants and I'm whole-heartedly jumping in. This spot, right next to the front door, is the area I targeted for a few OC&K plants. There's a bit of bare ground because my Rheum palmatum was sulking after the hot summer. You can see it (with just 3 small leaves) to the left of the Agave in the container. Shortly after this photo was taken it was dug out. Hallelujah!

I'd been thinking on getting a couple more Agaves in the ground (even though it's not the ideal time of the year) and this proved to be the push I needed. This Agave americana...

And (if my records are correct) this Agave americana var. protoamericana were both planted out.

There is a lot of existing Euphorbia rigida to be worked into the new plantings.

As well as a stunning Datura meteloides 'Double Lavender'.

The area on the other side of the front steps provided a little color inspiration, although that Amsonia hubrichtii needs to be cut back a bit, it's playing bully to the Agave ovatifolia.

The players (warming up on the bleachers)...

And a post-planting shot from far north.

I am positively in love with the combination of the Euphorbia rigida, Agave americana var. protoamericana and the ornamental Cabbage 'Osaka Red'...

Opening up the shot and the Agave americana joins the fun.

Makes me so happy...

There's also a container planting mixed in, because why not! I channeled my inner Paul Zammit and managed to cram in two ornamental cabbage, two Salvia alpiana, a Leptospermum namadgiensis and a Schizachyrium scoparium 'The Blues'...

The sunshine does obscure the photos a bit, but there's no way I'm going to complain about sun in October. The sun-flare just adds to mood...

I brought an amazing Salvia alpiana back from last Septembers trip to the Bay Area. It's stayed lush and lovely, but these more woody and slightly stressed plants have their own beauty.

I think it works together well...

That Datura I mentioned? Well it's now blooming, and fits in with the color scheme nicely.

Euphorbia amygdaloides 'Waleuphglo' (aka 'Ruby Glow')

Looking north, at the sea of Euphorbia rigida attempting to play nicely with the other plants.

Across the sidewalk is another autumn vignette, although it includes a couple of tender plants that will need to be lifted before temperatures drop.

I love how this grey-green pumpkin works with the cabbage colors.

And the colorful gourds set-off the Euphorbia 'Ascot Rainbow' and 'Red Express' Cabbage. A small Trachelospermum asiaticum 'Ogon Nishiki' behind the Yucca baccata continues the color scheme.

Did you notice the harsh sunlight disappeared in the last photo? I hustled out to take more photos on an overcast drippy morning.

The container planting is settling in nicely.

More Euphorbia 'Ascot Rainbow' with Geranium maculatum ‘Elizabeth Ann', Eryngium maritimum and more of that Euphorbia rigida.

A look at the overall planting. It's a bit haphazard but when you're faced with filling in around established plantings with both new plants that will live on for years, as well as a temporary fixation (the ornamental cabbage and kale), well...this is what you end up with. And as I said before, it does make me happy.

What about you, have you planted any ornamental cabbage and kale? Why not join up with The Challenge and send me a photo (spikyplants at gmail dot com)...could be great fun!

All material © 2009-2015 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.

36 comments:

  1. Yeah for jumping in with both feet. I love what you did, not just with the OC&K but also with the color-matched pumpkins. I'm inspired!

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    1. Thanks Gerhard, it was a happy accident - in that I bought the pumpkins I liked and then came home wondering where they would go.

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  2. You're so talented Loree! OC&K and pumpkins are not that easy to incorporate in exotic planting but you pulled it off so well, beautiful vignettes! My favourite though is the grey green pumpkin in front of the Euphorbia rigida, just lovely!

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    1. I don't know about talented, maybe just lucky? It all came together nicely.

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  3. I thought it was all nice, but wasn't sure it was enough to convince me to jump in -- then I saw the grey-green pumpkin image (under the "I love how this grey-green pumpkin works with the cabbage colors" text) and THAT inspired me. So wonderful! (I've not seen pumpkins of that color around here, but I usually don't look too closely...)

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    1. Yay! Glad you're inspired (so that means you're in - right?). I found that pumpkin at a local nursery. A big cardboard crate/box full of assorted colors marked "Fancy Pumpkins" - how could I not buy a Fancy pumpkin?

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  4. You not only overcame an aversion to kale, but ventured into mixed container planting...all with spectacular results. Bravo!

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    1. Just the cabbage was going in that pot, then I watched this video (http://video.canadiangardening.com/780821892001/Plant_a_fabulous_fall_container) and remembered how fun it was to watch Mr. Zammit (rhymes with crammit?) keep putting in plant after plant in the demonstration we saw at the Fling. I figured why not, I can do that! (I won't make a habit of it though)

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  5. Holy cow! I am in love with the combo with the pumpkin, gopher plant, and cabbage. I never would have expected that to work, much less that well!

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    1. I can assure you that it wasn't planned. Just working with what I had.

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  6. Looks terrific esp. with the pumpkins.

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  7. Just wonderful, Loree. I'm absolutely crazy about the overall silver wash of the area with those dusky purple accents. The structure of the double Datura is fantastic in a creepy sort of way: love it. Does the inner one open, too? I love the ancillary shot of Eryngium maritimum. That plant is definitely in my top 5 list of favorite new plants in my garden this year.

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    1. "fantastic in a creepy sort of way"...love that description! So perfect for Halloween? The inner one did open, but not in a lush flouncy way. The friend who gave me this plant has posted a ton of photos of his blooms on Facebook and his have opened in a full on flounce. My second bloom is about to open, I'm hoping mine sticks with the same format as the first.

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  8. beautiful and unexpected arrangements! Everything is glowing!

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    1. Autumn sun, hopefully we're not done with it yet.

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  9. The Euphorbia rigida, Agave americana var. protoamericana and the ornamental Cabbage 'Osaka Red' combo is gorgeous! The way the cabbage echoes the color of the agave is cool, throw in that pumpkin and it's orgasmic! Funny how good the OC&K look used this way. I love them and it's great to see them not massed into municipal plantings or stuffed into pots with winter pansies (not that there's anything wrong with that...)

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    1. Thanks OG, I'm still hoping to see your version.

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  10. If anyone could make cabbage and kale look chic, it would be you. It helps to have that star cast of plants around them. You've created something very different from the traditional cabbage and pansies. It really looks good! I made my own cabbage creation which you'll be able to see tomorrow morning. http://practicalplantgeek.blogspot.com/2015/10/cabbage-tree-on-mountainside.html

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    1. Ah, thanks! Of course last night when I saw this comment I had to go see if your post was live, which it wasn't (obviously). But now....I can't wait to click on over.

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  11. I've only just caught up on your post about the challenge - great idea. Can't wait to see your post with all the entries. That picture with the grey pumpkin and the blue/grey plants with the small (for want of a better word) "pops" of purple looks so good. So many interesting combinations!

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    1. Do they sell OC&K in Australia? I guess that's probably a dumb question since you're headed into summer.

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  12. The Datura meteloides was beautiful. Is it a nocturnal bloomer like sacred datura? Fragrant?

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    1. Nope, it did its thing in full daylight. Sadly I didn't detect a scent. I'll pay more attention to the next one (opening right now!)

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  13. I love that Datura! (Why, of why, didn't I pick one up at the local botanic garden's fall sale last weekend?) I'm amazed at how good the ornamental cabbage looks with just about everything. I've yet to see any in my local garden centers though. Too hot still perhaps (or maybe my eyes just glide over the plants as they do marigolds and petunias).

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    1. I bet they're there. It's not like garden centers to miss a selling opportunity, even if it isn't in the plants best interest!

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  14. Loree, I would never have thought of OC&K to mix with these plants, but they are meant for each other. I love the pumpkins in there too! Fantastic.

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    1. Thanks Tonya, wonderful to hear from you!

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  15. With our intense autumn heat waves, OC&K shrivel and die here in hours. Would a package of microwavable brussel sprouts qualify?

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    1. Well it all depends on how well you style the sprouts! Seriously though...you could do an indoor, vase arrangement.

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  16. Looks lovely! from Terry Sanders in Austin, Tx.

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  17. These are some of the most stunning photos you've taken! All I can say is wow!!
    Jim N. tabor

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    1. Thanks Jim, I appreciate that. Are you tempted to join the challenge?

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  18. No time. Have a 2 year old and a new baby due any time. Still love your site....inspiration for a future time with more leisure.

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  19. Ooh - that purple cabbage with the agave is just scrumptious! And the E. rigida with that pumpkin is fantastic too - great combos, Loree!

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