Agave parrasana
Agave titanota 'White Ice':
Since I mused about bright colored flowers and then subdued ones, might as well give foliage a go.
My ordeal last year chopping at the Pittosporum screen was accidentally well-timed. The stimulation of the chop combined with generous winter rain gave the Pittos beautiful new foliage:
Now that's the screen I dreamed:
Trees and shrubs overall much healthier this year.
Syzygium australe:
Lagerstroemia 'Dynamite' orange-tinged foliage with Aechmea blanchtiana, a bit of Leucospermum 'Wilsons Wonder' barely visible at lower left, and the oak tree:
Lagerstroemia 'Cherrry Mocha' gearing up to flower. The dragonfly matched it:
Australian nurseryman, you were correct:
Extra care because the last citrus tree purchase (a 'Meyer' Lemon) didn't get the care it needed. It looked dead; I thought it dead. It had only 11 leaves, all yellowish and drooping for nearly a year, but it finally shows signs of reviving.
My fern collection, both of them. A...what?
Recently a garden buddy gave me a large Tillandsia clump. It was growing on a Palm she had removed because the Palm was partially blocking a walkway. I'm trying to figure out where and how to attach it to...what? It's about 2'/60cm wide.
Of course something floral must intrude. Because butterfly.
That Tillandsia is interesting, if also somewhat weird. I love the dragonfly shot!
ReplyDeleteYour beautifully maintained foliage looks great. Photo #6 is particularly envy-producing. A gardener took a pruner to one of my 'Wilson's Wonder' Leucadendron again while I was off site getting a haircut. It wasn't as bad as last time - I think he was trying to "help" me uncover the Agave 'Jaws' I planted too close to it years ago - but I think I need to post a sign on the Leucadendron every Wednesday before the crew arrives as a precaution against future "help."
"Nunca podes este arbusto!"
DeleteEvery garden should rely heavily on foliage though as gardeners we are usually more drawn to the bright and colourful. I think as we mature as gardeners we become more enamoured with the possibilities of using different foliage types to create interest. That's when the magic really happens.
ReplyDeleteNo doubt! :) Still, bees and butterflies like flowers and add an additional layer of life to a garden.
DeleteThe Agave "banner" of this post is amazing.
ReplyDeleteYour Pittosporum screen is looking very well this year. I love the wavy shape and leaf color with the dark stems; a winning combination.
First fern is probably pyrrosia. Danger Garden may have a proper ID.
Chavli
That's a beautiful Agave, and slow growing, and solitary. It may in fact be perfect. :)
DeleteI searched and searched in my blog for the name of that fern, finally found it the next day, only post of it was back in 2016. Yes as you and Danger say, Pyrrosia lingua. I knew it was something-tongue. Forgot the name since I just let it do its thing and don't check it often--it is so very low maintenance--I cleaned up a few dead leaves yesterday. First time it needed it since 2016! LOL
The callistemon is a beautiful screen, wow. I have a stupid lemon that is truly in a great spot, fortified by being next to where we raised chickens even. I've trimmed it all back and have seen nothing sprout yet. It's going to get the heave ho. I seem to have better luck with them in large pots. Enjoy your cool week!
ReplyDeleteI was doubting the Callistemons would dense up, but they did! (Though the wonderful winter rain helped speed that along.)
DeleteLemons are heavy feeders--mine grew those new leaves thanks to some fertilizer I think. A fluffy thick mulch, too because their roots are near the surface.
I love foliage and tend to think my garden has some nice examples but absolutely nothing I have even comes close to the beauty and drama of your Agaves. Stunning.
ReplyDeleteThe photos you've posted--examples are more than "nice"! :) That particular Agave in the 1st photo is quite impressive, though--even for an Agave.
DeleteI lovely look at your foliage, thank you! The NoID fern is a Pyrrosia lingua I believe.
ReplyDeleteYes, that's it, Pyrrosia lingua. I searched and searched and finally found it in a 2016 post. It's nicely slow-growing and well-behaved. Hope you liked the Agaves, too. ;^)
DeleteYes to the foliage! Great photos, too, including the dragonfly and the monarchs. :)
ReplyDeleteThe dragonflies will often pose for the camera, but those Monarchs move so fast! I was lucky one was still waking up and stayed put long enough.
DeleteYou had me at (agave) foliage :-)
ReplyDeleteShocked, shocked! ;^)
DeleteThe Pteris cretica 'Albolineata' and new Tillandsia get my vote for foliage awards. Your Melaleuca 'Slim' story reminds me I need to get out and do some pruning when I get back in a couple weeks.I use the same technique on a Grevillea we've got in the yard and it works out well.
ReplyDeleteI hope you have an enjoyable, relaxing trip.
DeleteMy experience with several Grevillea agrees, even in my different climate--their health and beauty really benefit from light, regular pruning. Looking around the internet--found a site with an Australian guy who said you can occasionally do very hard cut backs to the well established Grevilleas that have developed a good lignotuber--it gives them a complete refresh. Alas, which ones develop lignotubers? He didn't say. Since I have mostly hybrids, I'm lost!