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.