Echium wildpretii and Tradescantia pallida, a match made in heaven.
We saw Tradescantia pallida all over Austin (it's a weed!) but I don't remember seeing a single Echium. This is a singularly Davis vignette, although dammit I am going to replicate it in my garden...however brief the magic may be (neither are reliably hardy here).
Of course the drama goes up about ten notches when the Echium blooms.
Can you even? I swoon...
Weather Diary, May 15: Hi 71, Low 56/ Precip 0
Wednesday Vignettes are hosted by Anna at Flutter & Hum. All material © 2009-2018 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
I don't think I ever would have thought of using this deep purple and smoky gray together in a foliage combo. I like gray foliage, but I never quite know what to do with it, so I don't use it much.
ReplyDeleteThe Echium reads a little more silver IRL, the hairs reflect the light, it shimmers!
DeleteI LOVE IT! Last summer I painted my house medium gray with eggplant trim. I love using dark burgundy plants. I had not thought about gray. I know the Purple Heart (Tradescantia pallida) grows like weeds here like in Austin! Echium wildpretti or other Echium don't like our heavy clay soil. Looking forward to seeing this combo in your garden.
ReplyDeleteOh yes! That house pains scheme sounds fabulous! Ya we've got the clay, plus the cold winter wet. It's not fun.
DeleteFabulous combo. Silver and burgundy always look well together, IMO. Lime green, too. :)
ReplyDeleteYes ma'm!
DeleteReally splendid combo and it'll look even nicer in your garden where you can enjoy it every day!
ReplyDeleteAlthough it would cost me a bundle to acquire that much Tradescantia. Mine will be a limited enjoyment.
DeleteNope, no echiums in Austin. I can only assume that's due to our stifling summer humidity with no nighttime cool-downs. That's what does in kangaroo paws, agastache, and other plants I covet. Purple heart, however -- we can't kill it.
ReplyDeleteI took a photo on Congress Ave of a big pile someone had pulled out of a planting bed. I should have included it here.
DeleteI really have to try Echium wildpretii. My success with Echium is going to my head I think. Of course, the difficulty of finding a spot for a plant that size must also be dealt with.
ReplyDeleteE. wildpretii stays a little smaller than the other ones you grow. It's just a large rosette instead of a branching beast. Well that's until it blooms and seeds around. Then you'd have a mini-forest.
DeleteOooh - that's fantastic! And lucky you who got not only the personal tour of UC Davis, but also got to spend time in Gerhard's garden. I hope I catch your posts on that!
ReplyDeleteI'll try to remember to call your attention to them...
DeleteOh gosh, wow! My heart is going pitter-patter...seriously. That Echium is such a lovely color (I love the purple ones, too). Of course, my climate is too cold for them, but they're awesome. And the combination with the Tradescantia--wow!
ReplyDeleteIt's a thing of beauty, glad you agree.
DeleteI am looking forward to see you duplicating this gorgeous vignette in your garden. The only Echium I ever saw in person had a bluish-purple bloom, not pink; such an amazing sight, it stopped me in my tracks.
ReplyDeleteThat is an impressive patch of purple!
ReplyDelete