Friday, May 27, 2016

"Red Sky at Night"...favorite plants at the end of May

As assembled this post I couldn't help but hear my dad reciting the old rhyme "red sky at night, sailors' delight, red sky at morning sailors take warning" it's one of those childhood memories that takes me back...

But of course we're here to talk about plants.

I picked this beauty up at last weekend's Rare Plant Research open house and sale.

It's a pineapple, and as many plants at RPR are it was unlabeled. Still I had to have it. A little research has lead me to believe it's Ananus lucidus or Ananas lucidus 'Lava Burst'.

It is a beautiful plant, both the top and bottom of the leaves have incredible detail. Naturally it's not hardy here in Portland so it will be living the life of a container plant, winters indoors, summer on the patio. Hopefully I can give it the light it needs to stay this vibrant color.

While admiring my new purchase I got to thinking about the fact there are a few other reds in my garden that I've been appreciating...and thus my May favorites post was born. It's no secret that I have a passion for dark purple/burgundy/black foliage but now it appears red is also making it's way into my heart.

On the left is a new-to-me NOID Bromeliad, on the right is Woodwardia unigemmata. I am quite obsessed with this fern that puts out new growth in shades of red. Isn't it fabulous!?

It can get quite large too, with plants eventually reaching 2-ft tall and 5-6-ft wide. Ya, I may not have properly taken that size thing into account when I planted it.

Oh and get this, small baby ferns are produced at the leaf tips!

The Bromeliad was picked up at a private plant sale a few weeks back. Word went out that a local gardener was moving and needed to sell plants, garden art, and tools. I looked back through my photos to see if there was anything I had to have and remembered how taken I was with this plant...and it was there waiting for me, now it's mine. Score!

Next to it is that Ligularia dentata ‘Othello’ I picked up earlier in the month. Now it's true purple is the dominant color but...

There are reddish tones.

This one is hardy to USDA Zone 5 and prefers part shade. It's also a slug magnet, something I've overcome so far (knocks on wood) by planting it in a container set on gravel.

The new growth on Epimedium wushanense leans to red (zones 5-9, shade).

And while Podophyllum 'Red Panda' is a little less red now...

It was redder earlier in the season (hardy to zone 7, shade, likes moist soil)

Mammillaria spinosissima 'rubrispina' (aka "Red Headed Irishman") picked up from Alison at a recent plant swap.

And the new growth on my Rhododendron 'Ebony Pearl'...decidedly red, which will fade to a dark purple with time (zones 6-9, part shade, even moisture).

Another NOID Bromeliad, with a red blush.

And finally a couple of stressed succulents, showing their displeasure with a red face. This an unlabeled Aloe via IKEA...

And my spiky Aloe marlothii.

What plants are looking lovely in your May garden? Please tell us about them!

All material © 2009-2016 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.

31 comments:

  1. In the uk it's shepards not sailors......

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  2. I've found myself admiring pineapples in nurseries on several occasions but your 'Lava Burst' may be the prettiest I've seen. Coincidentally, I also focused on red tones, as well as corals, this month: http://krispgarden.blogspot.com/2016/05/may-favorites.html

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    1. And I bet you could grow it outside too!

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  3. They all look striking! Not all of them will take on that tinge long term but while they do looks great.

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    1. Live for the moment! (my summer garden motto)

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  4. These are all so beautiful, and such lovingly maintained specimens. I hope you still like the red-headed Irishman when he flowers (they're bright pink, but tiny). He usually flowers in late winter in the greenhouse, so by the time you bring him out, he'll be done. So glad he found a loving mama.

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    1. I'm trying to embrace the orange/red/pink combinations when they arise, good to know I'll have another opportunity to do so.

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  5. Love that pineapple! I'm too tired this year (so far) to pick a favorite. Even a glimpse of your shredded umbrella plant didn't get me envious like it usually does. The bamboo is making me happy though, so I guess that's my favorite?

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    1. Works for me! And somehow exactly what I would expect.

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  6. Pretty! Red-headed Irishman is one of my favorite cacti, even if the flowers clash. And it's amazing what all you can grow with consistently moist soil!

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    1. If only that was the case (consistently moist soil). It turns to cement as soon as the rains stop - usually the end of June but this year who knows! Next week is going to be in the 90's.

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  7. Fun faves this month as always. Love the aloe/burro's tail combo on the aluminum(?) square! Clicked on the link. That must have been an amazing sale. Happy weekend. I finally remembered that this is the last Friday of the month and did a favorites post.

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    1. The metal square is the top of the planter I featured in this post: http://www.thedangergarden.com/2015/07/somebody-stop-me.html. A bit of scrap I bought at the reBuilding Center. Glad to see your fav post!

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  8. A giant fern with red tones!! You are breaking my heart here. Just made a bouquet with chartreuse and purplely-blacks, so I quess I should appreciate what I have instead of lusting. You have some beautiful reds there.

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    1. It's a gardener's nature to lust over what we can't have. Trust me, I do too.

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  9. Welcome to the red lovers' club. It was a treat to see your collection of red tones. I'll try to get back to picking favorites once I adjust to the working life. Until then, I'll just enjoy yours.

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    1. Yes I suppose even working a great job like you have requires quite a bit of adjustment to the schedule.

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  10. I'm loving reds, too. That pineapple is perfect and the Woodwardia to die for. I bought a Podophyllum delavyii x Pleianthum similar to Red Panda this year. Can't wait for it to grow up. Yours is pretty spectacular, even now.

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    1. I love that Podophyllum, although sadly it's hiding a 'spotty dotty' or similar (http://plantlust.com/plants/podophyllum-spotty-dotty/) that I really need to get in there and move.

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    2. I remember seeing a P. delavayii or Spotty Dotty hiding under there in another photo you posted. Too precious and definitely deserving of a plant rescue! :)

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  11. Great plants. I love the red tinge things have at this time of year, it is almost a shame when they turn back to green as they get less stressed after winter.

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    1. "less stressed after winter"?? Oddly it's the opposite here. In winter they turn green and then color up with summer's stress.

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  12. Fascinating plants.I love all these red shades.I am joining in this month, but a day late I'm afraid. https://thebloominggarden.wordpress.com/2016/05/28/may-favourites/

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    1. A day late, no worries!!! I am excited so see your favorites!

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  13. I fell in love with Woodwardia at Plant Delights a couple of years ago, mainly for the large and very bold foliage, but I didn't know they emerged red. Now I have to have some!

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  14. Yes, definitely an ananas lucidus 'Lava Burst'. I have the regular one and it does provide a punch of colour amongst the greenery.
    Also, what is that succulent behind that mammilaria?

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    1. Thanks for the confirmation Justin. And the succulent you asked about is a Crassula falcata.

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  15. No red Castor Bean this year? Well the reds you have are good!

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    1. I tried to start a few from seed but not a single one sprouted...and you know what, I haven't seen any available in the local shops. There are two small seedlings in the garden but they're so small I'm not sure I could get a good photo...

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