Fabulous Foliage

A mild winter and the start of the summer rains have really given a boost to the foliage in the shady parts of the garden.

The Sweet Almond bush is taking shape as a single-trunk small tree.  It has had trouble keeping upright during high winds but it stood strong during 'Debby.'  The blooms have come in flushes one right after another since March.

The area underneath the oak is starting to take shape as well.  This area was all Wedelia ground cover.  You can read about its re-do here.   My Oakleaf Hydrangeas didn't bloom this year, but they are putting out new stems and leaves so I have high hopes for next spring.  

Now here's a look I love.  The shady tropical corner has foliage upon foliage.  There are few bare spots to be seen in this area.

I love being able to put houseplants in the ground to form a low bushy groundcover that gets nipped in the winter but comes back every spring.  (Polka Dot Plant 'White Splash' on the left and 'Pink Splash' at the bottom right edge of this picture.)  They re-seed so there are now more than the original two. 

Looking out from the shady corner across the boggy area I'm so happy to see that I may have finally figured out what can take drought conditions in early spring and still take flooding in summer. Many plants have met their doom in this spot.  

Oh yes, mid-summer foliage is a beautiful thing!

My Garden (Psycho) Path

My Garden Path started out as a circle around the big oak tree in my backyard.  Over the last few years that path has sprouted tributaries that meander off in other directions to allow access to the ever expanding garden.

This cute little sign was made by Darla from More Family and Flowers.  It is so fitting for the path in my garden, not the gardener.  Take a look at Darla's new website From Our Hands to Your Home - Handmade and Vintage and see what other treasures she has there.

Taking a walk around My Garden Path I can't help but revel in all the summer foliage.  Most of these plants will be in their glory for just a few more months.

All the different leaf sizes, colors and textures are what the late summer garden is all about.  There are a few stray blooms here and there but most are resting until cooler temperatures prevail.

That doesn't mean there isn't color in the garden.  There is a lot of color in leaves of differing shades of green, purple, red, pink and even striped and spotted.

The boggy area has finally lived up to its name.  The recent daily deluges are keeping these plants, which like wet feet, very happy.

The path may wander and be a bit unorganized, but it allows a view of the garden from many different perspectives.  Thanks for walking along with me today.


(Don't forget to check out Darla's new website.  It's a fun concept of "haggling" for your price and there are some very interesting things available.)

A Morning Look at the Garden

Lately there has been little time to spend in the garden.  What time has been available has been spent watering drought thirsty plants.  This morning I took some time to observe my garden in anticipation of having an entire day tomorrow to spend caring for my favorite place to be.

The crinum 'Ellen Bosanquet' has sent up a scape of beautiful pink flowers.  There are three of these planted at the foot of the Raja Puri banana tree.  (Note for tomorrow:  The bamboo could use a little trim to keep it from covering up the banana tree.)
 

Oh my goodness!  There are bananas!  These are the first bananas ever at My Garden Path! 

A quick walk over to the circular path around the oak tree allows for a beautiful view of morning sunlight shining through all the colorful foliage of coleus and caladiums.

This is a really tropical looking spot along the path.  The pinecone gingers have grown quite tall and are already forming pinecones. 

Over in a sunny area the white guara is putting on quite a show.  I've never seen it so thick before.  Usually it is quite spindly and thin.  I like this new look.

Little green bees with loaded pollen pockets are enjoying the guara too.  This morning there are many of them and some honey bees too enjoying all the flowers.

One of my favorite things about walking through the garden in the morning is the way the slanting eastern light backlights the normally dark, shady corner. 

I'm looking forward to spending tomorrow outside for the day.  There is much tidying to be done and fertilizing with fish emulsion and compost.  The roses need their monthly Mills Magic application.  A passing rain shower would be a nice occurrence. 

Whatever your weekend plans may be, I hope they include some time in your garden. 

Colorful Leaves

Sometimes a leaf can be just as eye-catching as a bloom.  Different varieties of coleus are planted each year as annuals throughout the garden.  Some are pass-alongs from other's gardens, some are over-wintered from cuttings placed in water and brought into the house and some are purchased new each spring.

Most come without any identification.  That's fine with me, I wouldn't remember their names anyway.  The colors reflect the caladium colors and provide a nice contrast of leaf shape.  With similar light and water needs, these two plants make a good pairing.

Frilly leaves of bright chartreuse, purple, pink, and cream all create a bright spot in the shade gardens.  There are some coleus that can take quite a lot of sun but all of mine are planted in dappled shade.  They seem less thirsty with more shade. 

The variegated cast-iron plant which is another plant that was passed-along to me, is really starting to settle into its spot and put out more of those lovely leaves.  The cast-iron plant is an old Southern shade garden staple that is not that easy to find for sale at garden centers.  Aren't gardening friends the best?

Last May, this curcuma was blooming.  Not this May.  But, I love the leaves with that burgundy mid-rib and count on their appearing each year.  They show up by April and last through November.  The beautiful fuschia bloom is a bonus I hope to get soon.

Lots of caladiums were planted beneath the big oak tree this spring and they haven't disappointed me a bit.  My new favorite foliage plant, blood leaf irisine, shines in the slanting rays of the afternoon sun.  It is an eye-catcher for sure.   Irisine is another plant that is easy to propagate from cuttings.  I had a few small cuttings that were planted last fall that weren't fazed by the cold weather.  I'm hoping that the ones I've spread around in other areas will be as hardy.

I love having interesting foliage plants as much as I do the flowering plants.  They all have their unique charms.

A Garden Refreshed

Last night a gentle, long-lasting rain fell.  This morning a refreshed, revived garden greeted me.  When the rain falls gently, soaking into the ground the plants are able to enjoy the benefits of the much needed water.

There was no soil erosion or standing puddles to put stress on the root systems of the growing garden greenery.  Foliage shows up so much clearer after a rain.  All the subtle shades of green standout and shine.

All foliage isn't green though. 

Purples and reds pop out from among the verdant leafiness.

Some of the bromeliads are putting out new life while others are just beginning to bloom. 

Last night's rain collected in a reflective pool within the cup of this bromeliad.  Bright fuschia colors the inner leaves indicating the bloom that can't be seen inside the watery center.  Soon there will be new pups growing beside this mother plant.

The wetness of the leaves brings such contrast to the shades of green and the purple and yellow.  This shady corner seems dark at times, but this morning it is full of color. 

The variegated leaves with red shooting through them is one of my favorite combos of color. 

There is nothing quite like a well-watered garden.