This vignette is at the front of our east-facing house, to the right of the front door. That black daphne is such a rare and gorgeous plant that it actually does get a generous drink weekly, I suppose the surrounding plants appreciate the extra water as well.
Word is that Amsonia hubrichtii likes regular water, so no doubt mine would appreciate a little more moisture, but it makes due. I love the seed pods that form this time of year, just before the bright green begins to turn to gold, and then a slightly more fiery color before eventually falling to the ground.
Powder blue and dark purple are always a winning combination.
Especially when the powder blue has a thin pink edge—Euphorbia rigida is a strong supporting character.
I continue to be thrilled and amazed by this small patch of Bommeria hispida, a desert fern that likes life at the base of an agave.
That brings us to the biggest personality of all, the Agave ovatifolia 'Frosty Blue' on the far right. They all work so well together.
Now we venture to the back garden and the plants sunk into the top of the table under the shade pavilion.
The day I spent watering I took a lunch break in this spot, that's when I noticed the great shadow-play.
The fern is my much loved Asplenium trichomanes, the small succulent in the bottom right hand corner is a Euphorbia caput-medusae and unfortunately I don't know the name of the red spiked cactus on the left, I bought them unlabeled.
I'm so glad we thought to have holes cut into the custom fabricated table-top. I've had great fun figuring out what plants and planters I can fill them with.
All material © 2009-2021 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
Agave ovatifolia is the perfect foil for everything! The color of the Daphne is striking. I'm always looking for dark foliage plants like that. I recently came across an almost black Myrtus communis online that might actually survive here, assuming I can find it.
ReplyDeleteI adore dark (almost black) foliage!
DeletePerfection: a state of equilibrium where nothing needs to be added or taken away.
ReplyDeleteHa, thanks!
DeleteNothing is more fun than unexpected shadow images. Love that silver blue and dark purple. A combo that is not as easy to pull off here.
ReplyDeleteDark foliage is tricky everywhere I think.
DeleteI would know this first photo vignette anywhere! I love this outstanding plant combinations. I'm so pleased with my own Amsonia that I consider getting a second one, for the back garden.
ReplyDeleteI try not to share it too often...
DeleteHi! I think your cactus might be cereus repandus f. Monstrose, aka "Peruvian apple cactus", or one of its many variations. It's a very confused family of cacti, unknown origin, lots of variation. Anyway, it looks tremendously like one of mine labeled as above. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteOh yes, this definitely looks like a possibility! Thank you!
DeleteBlack and blue are stunning together. Have never seen a black daphne, very special indeed. Admiring your back fence and how serene it looks. Frost this week so will be moving everything inside for the last time this year. Alas.
ReplyDeleteWow... I can't imagine frost this early! You're tough.
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