Today's blog post is made up of photos taken around the garden as the light changes, tender plants move to protected spots, and other plants move in to take their place. In other words, changing focal points. First up, the evening sun on the trunks of the Hibiscus syriacus. Glowing like this they look so much more interesting than they actually are.
There are three small black containers hanging on that hibiscus, two of them planted with Pyrrosia lingua. I love how the rhizomes are growing out, and hugging the pot.
Since the pyrrosia are hardy and the pot is wide at the top (so it's less likely to break if the soil freezes briefly and expands) I leave these out on all but the coldest days. They also get moved nearer the pathway, where they'll be seen and enjoyed. Over the warmer months this area is home to less-hardy ferns and bromeliads.
Because of possible freeze damage (for the plants and the pots) I change out the ceramic containers on front of the garage about this time every year.
Metal planters (which are actually clip-on lampshades) are filled with a mix of things, including Lonicera crassifolia and a hardy opuntia (whose tag I cannot find!).
I'm also experimenting and seeing if this gifted mangave and a couple Agave 'Blue Glow' pups might defy the odds and live over the winter with the excellent drainage these containers provide.
Before you think I've completely lost my mind I should say these containers are easy to move to a warmer spot for a few days, if need be.
The big bromeliad basket and it's smaller side-kick are now in the basement.
I didn't want to look at an empty column all winter, so this large disc planted with Pyrrosia cf. lingua MD 10-37 (yep,
that's it's name) was moved into place. The shorter dish holds mosses.
Even after the tropical nepenthes were moved indoors there's still quite a collection on the bench in the corner. Eventually I plan to move the pseudopanax and aeonium into the shade pavilion greenhouse, the carnivorous plants will stay out in the weather but in a more protected spot near the greenhouse.
The golden rodgersia in the corner have become a focal point, when they were green they just faded into the background.
I brought this Rhododendron 'McNabii' home from our blogger's plant swap last spring. I finally realized I wasn't going to find a good spot for it in the ground before winter, so it went into this sturdy pot. Fingers crossed it makes it because I really like that foliage and it's flowers are supposed to have a great scent.
The bromeliad trashcan lids are gone, but I capped the columns with metal oil pans and newly purchased pyrrosia (can't stop, won't stop), and Bergenia ciliata in a heavy terracotta pot.
Love those big hairy leaves!
Eventually I found other homes for the pyrrosia so a pot of "hardy" billbergia went up there instead. Moving containers around as the garden changes with the season keeps me interested and engaged.
These pyrrosia have been in this spot since early June and they'll stay in place until truly cold weather threatens.
Ditto for these on the side of the garage.
Did you notice the forked leaf (frond?) on the plant in the large circle?
This photo was taken hanging out a window at the back of the house, I loved the light and everything looked so lush. Those moss covered branches are the same Hibiscus syriacus that started this post.
The biggest focal point change of all is the building of the shade pavilion greenhouse, which took place back on October 26th.
All the dry-loving plants went in right away, but I'm taking my time with the others, slowly working them in.
The Phlebodium aureum is enjoying the spotlight on one of the tall columns that used to hold the bromeliad bowls, it's showing off it's powder-blue fronds.
In the same area there's a new plant down at ground level that I'm hoping will quickly grow to cover part of the back fence...
A local blog reader asked if I'd like this Parthenocissus henryana (aka silvervein creeper) she rooted from her plant and I jumped at the chance.
I bought a small Parthenocissus at the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden last July, but this one is larger and has great color. Hopefully between the two of them I'll get some fence coverage!
Finally, to my fellow Americans, if you have not yet voted please do so. I'm so thankful it's time for this contentious election to come to an end. I'm praying that tomorrow, and the days that follow, will be filled with hope, not hate, peace, not protest. We are not going back.
All material © 2009-2024 by Loree L Bohl. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
You've done a beautiful job curating your garden for the colder weather ahead, Loree. I wish I had your talent in that regard. You've done well at framing your shots in this post too. And you've reminded me that I still need to get the Pyrrosia in a small pot in my lath house into the ground! As to your final comments, I wholeheartedly share your feelings.
ReplyDeleteGet that pyrrosia in the ground! Have you seen the photo I shared on Instagram, of the magnolia leaves covering everything? So much for a curated garden...
DeleteHear, hear on final comment! Am a nervous wreck, waiting on pins and needles. We find ourselves wondering will we have to move to Canada? Ireland? Reality says no will just have to spend a lot more time in garden for mental health.
ReplyDeleteIt's going to be a very long day, or two, or three, as our future is being decided.
DeleteHope, not hate, would be wonderful. Your garden looks fabulous and healthy. It is so fascinating to observe the light shifting with the seasons, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteIt is fascinating, indeed. I seem to be in the right place at the right time to see a lot of the changes this year, ones I've missed in the past.
DeleteI enjoy seeing your garden as it buttons down for the season, playing musical chairs of sorts. Rhododendron 'McNabii' is gorgeous, I love those shiny leaves. I hope it makes it through spectacularly and find a permanent spot in the garden next spring.
ReplyDeleteThe view out of the window is practically tropical! The thick cover of modo grass and spiffy variegated Aspidistra: wow!
Chavli
Tropical in October! It was an unexpected view and I was thrilled to capture it.
DeleteYour garden looks wonderful! Lots of thought and effort there at this time of year where you live! I just love the Parthenocissus henryana (aka silvervein creeper) and have never seen it before.
ReplyDeleteIt's a beauty isn't it? I hope it's happy here in my garden.
DeleteOf all the plants you have ever shown on your blog, I don't recall any that have ever inflamed the envy and desire that your new Parthenocissus henryana has. I have one on our woodshed that I kept hoping would develop the gorgeous veining that yours has and now I realize mine is nothing but a cheap facsimile, a knockoff, a much poorer cultivar that will never be as gaspingly gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteI was startled to see how much setting sun hits your yard in about the 8th photo down with the view of the pavilion through the pedestal planter. I love that warm feel of that the sunlight imparts there. I find myself drawn more towards the wide-leaf pyrrosias, like the one on the right in your pedestal trio. The way the leaves orient themselves vertically, facing outward is top notch perfection. And last, I'll have to look through some of your older posts about the newest iteration of your pavilion to remind myself how you achieved it. We have a metal lean-to that I would like to convert to a greenhouse space. I just need to figure out how to do the panels.
Comparing the new Parthenocissus henryana to the one I bought at the RSBG I can definitely see the difference, it's heavenly. The mother plant was more green than brown, light levels seem to make the difference, I just hope it is happy here. If it takes off then I will definitely share! As for the sun, people tend to assume the garden is always shady but that's not the case. That pyrrosia seems to be everyone's favorite, it's done well in that planter with minimal soil.
DeleteThis is great motivation, right when I needed it. You've shifted things, but it doesn't look like you've put everything away for winter. It is still so thoughtful and gorgeous. I'd lean out the window for that shot, too! I'm jealous of the Parthenocissus henryana -that is going to be fabuLOUS creeping along the fence.
ReplyDelete