Monday, September 27, 2021

Under the loquat; planting below a limbed-up tree

Every year I post a (fairly) comprehensive tour of both the front and back gardens. I was taking photos for those posts when it occurred to me that I still haven't shared images of two of the areas I reworked earlier this spring, under the loquat and where the ceanothus was removed. So, today we have... under the loquat.

First a couple shots to establish just where it is we're talking about. The tallest plant at the center of this image—taken as you walk into the back garden—is the loquat, aka Eriobotrya japonica.


Here's a closer image, one that first appeared in a post last April called "My own private Hortlandia"—in that post I detailed some major plant shopping I'd done and talked about where I'd planned to put my purchases. I focused on the bare ground under the loquat I'd recently limbed-up.

Those of you with eagle eyes might notice the Mahonia eurybracteata 'Soft Caress' already grouped on the right, under the loquat. They were early purchases, not yet planted.

And here's the same area as viewed from the other side, on the patio. The loquat—still at the center of the photo—looks taller here, since the patio is sunk down a couple of feet.

The new plantings (in place since late May) are most easily enjoyed from this angle, through the lower branches of the Stachyurus salicifolius.

Looking closer...

And closer...

You'd be right if you're thinking "that's a lot of pyrrosia"... I may have gone a little overboard.

And I couldn't be happier about it.

But it's not all pyrrosia! 

Let's have a look-see over there, north, towards the fence line.

Persicaria 'Painters Palette' with an arisaema I purchased from Xera plants earlier in the year (on the right), I can't remember it's name now.

Persicaria close-up.

You may have noticed this spiny epimedium in one of the above photos, Epimedium wushanense 'Sandy Claws'.

A group shot, one of the Mahonia eurybracteata 'Soft Caress', planted.

I think three, maybe four Asarum maximum 'Ling Ling' made it into the mix.

There's a single Blechnum spicant, aka the deer fern, and I think three Blechnum penna-marina, but no photos of them, sadly.

'Soft Caress' seems to have snuck into several images.


The tall strappy foliage is a long ago planted, orange-blooming, crocosmia. I left it wondering if just maybe there might be enough sun (since I limbed up the tree) to get it to bloom again. There was not, I'll be lifting and moving them this fall. There's another 'Ling Ling'...

And a nice chunk of aspidistra, aka cast iron plant, which helps to hide the awkward place where the fence meets the neighbor's garage—it was a gift from a Facebook friend.

Okay, I think it's time for some pyrrosia pics!

Pyrrosia lingua 'Variegata', the ground cover is Sedum tetractinum.

The pyrrosia is from Xera Plants, that subtle variegation just kills me!


Pyrrosia hastata, also from Xera Plants. They were rich with pyrrosia this spring and I did my very best to buy more than my fair share.

So good!

Am I right?

I also included a few straight Pyrrosia lingua...

Because why not?

As the loquat grows, and I get brave enough to limb it up even more, I might have to relocate a few of these shade lovers. For now though, I'm loving the new plantings!

All material © 2009-2021 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.

8 comments:

  1. The "new" area looks great, Loree. I can understand why you love the Pyrrosia. I've never seen it here, even though some growers say it can be grown in zone 10b. (My area is now generally classified as 11a.) Ferns in general struggle here - my Blechnum didn't even survive in my lath house. I am on the hunt for Mahonia 'Soft Caress' though.

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    1. Blechnum not even happy in the lath house, wow. My pyrrosia did not enjoy our crazy June heat, not one bit. I don't think they'd like your climate.

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  2. A lot of good foliage plant (variegated Pyrrosia!). I coveted aspidistra for a while now, specifically one called Okame with magnificent creamy stripes.
    I can't remember if your Asarum bloomed before... some cool looking photos of it's flowers on the internet.

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    1. I have an aspidistra that came from Peter, unnamed, but it could very well be Okame based on the photos I see online. He got it at Flowerworld, might be worth checking there? Yes... I bought my asarum in bloom, I LOVE those weird flowers.

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  3. The combinations and arrangements are really special. You are so talented with the mixes. That Epimedium is really special!

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    1. Thanks Beth, and yes... I love that epimedium!

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  4. Lots of great textures happening. Love the dark mahogany colour of the Loquat trunks.

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    1. I think maybe it's the Stachyurus salicifolius you're admiring? The loquat trunk didn't make it into many photos and is pretty darn boring.

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