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The 2024 Garden Year

January 19, 2024 January Our year started with snow, ice and frigid temperatures in mid-January. Our temperatures stayed below freezing for almost a week. I think it was the most consistent cold that we've experienced since moving here. Fortunately, it was a dry snow so there wasn't too much damage. Once again, we almost lost the azara and I'm afraid there would have been some breakage if I had not kept knocking the ice off. February 14, 2024 February In past years, it seems that inclement weather seems to hit around Michael's birthday in mid-February. After the January snow and ice, this month was actually quite tame. Nothing exciting to report - mostly birdwatching . Early flowers like hellebores, cyclamen and crocus begin to bloom in mid month. March 3, 2024 March I got into a walking routine which I'm happy to report I am continuing this year. You get to the point where you feel guilty if you miss a day. I do miss days occasionally but I'm learning that ...
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Foliage Follow-up

This is my first "Foliage Follow-Up" posting. I have always wanted to join in but just never got around to it. As I was taking photos for Bloom Day, I noticed that there is some very nice foliage in the garden. I hope conifers count!

pinus-contorta-taylors-sunburst
One of my prized possessions right now is this pine tree- Pinus contorta 'Taylor's Sunburst'. Isn't it amazing?

picea-orientalis-skylands
Another conifer that I am thrilled to have is this spruce (Picea orientalis 'Skylands').


Spanish Fir (Abies pinsapo 'Glauca')
Spanish Fir (Abies pinsapo 'Glauca')


Colorado Blue Spruce (Picea pungens 'Glauca')
And one last conifer - Colorado Blue Spruce (Picea pungens 'Glauca')


Acer pseudoplatanus 'Eskimo Sunset'
Now on to some trees. This is a maple called 'Eskimo Sunset' (Acer pseudoplatanus). I cannot decide if I like it or not. It was an impulse buy and it is certainly unusual looking. Right now is it looking pretty good so I am liking it at the moment.


golden-variegated-dogwood-cornus
I know that I love the Golden Variegated Dogwood. This poor tree was pot-bound at a nursery about to go out of business and it looked rather puny all last summer. Planting it in late May did not help matters. A few weeks ago, the leaves opened and it is stunning. I am worried that it might not like the full-sun location where I planted it but I honestly do not know where else it would go.


acer-palmatum-murasaki-kiyohime-japanese-maple
Japanese Maple 'Murasake Hirohime' was already planted here when we moved it and it always looks amazing. It is a dwarf variety.


Pieris 'Mountain Fire'
Pieris 'Mountain Fire'


physocarpus-opulifolius-coppertina
I love the Ninebarks - choosing just one variety was difficult but I decided on 'Coppertina' (Physocarpus opulifolius).


Berberis thunbergii 'Rosy Glow') (Barberry)
Barberry 'Rosy Glow' (Berberis thunbergii) - The rabbits love it. :(


Ceanothus thysiforus 'Black Diamond' (California Lilac)
I included Ceanothus 'Black Diamond' on my Bloom Day post but as you can see, the foliage is the star attraction. The flowers have just started to bud out.


Vinca minor 'Illumination'
Vinca minor 'Illumination' In our former garden in Alabama, Vinca spread like wildfire. I initially had this in a pot with some annuals and am now hesitantly trying it in the retaining wall planter. I want it to cascade over the side.


sedum-cherry-truffle
Another Home Depot bargain bin find, Sedum 'Cherry Truffle'. It has a nice pink flower later in the summer which looks great against the purple/black leaves.
 Foliage Follow-up is hosted by Pam at Digging. Check out the link for more bloggers sharing their foliage photos.

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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Comments

  1. chavlinessMay 16, 2017 at 7:46 AM

    Most definitely conifers count! I'm mesmerized by them. Great shots of the new growth. I think your Golden Variegated Dogwood would do well in full sun (its a survivor so far). Pieris 'Mountain Fire' is probably at it's most striking right now: the new leafs are an eye catcher.

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    Replies
    1. Phillip OliverMay 16, 2017 at 12:27 PM

      I agree with you on the Pieris. The foliage is more striking than the flowers.

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  2. danger gardenMay 16, 2017 at 8:39 AM

    WOW! Phillip your photos again are amazing, such depth. And the foliage of course too. Gorgeous!

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  3. AlisonMay 16, 2017 at 9:36 AM

    Conifers definitely count, especially here in the PNW! They're a staple, and that new growth is sometimes nearly as pretty and interesting as flowers. I wish I'd known you were looking for that Leycesteria that I showed in my post, I've started new plants easily from cuttings, so maybe I could start one for you if you can't find it elsewhere.

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  4. Anne BoykinMay 16, 2017 at 10:05 AM

    Beautiful blooms and foliage in your garden!

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  5. LINDA from Each Little WorldMay 16, 2017 at 11:30 AM

    What a great assortment of foliage you have. Skylands is gorgeous. I have that golden dogwood and it gets late afternoon sun that it is not crazy about but it hasn't burned it or caused significant problems that I've noticed.

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  6. Leanne ConradMay 16, 2017 at 12:58 PM

    Your conifer pictures are amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Evan BeanMay 16, 2017 at 1:33 PM

    An excellent inaugural Foliage Follow-up! I love the new growth on conifers. Like Alison said, it can be as good as flowers!

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  8. Lisa at GreenbowMay 16, 2017 at 3:18 PM

    Of course conifers count. You have some beauties. I love all that new growth. The foliage looks great on the trees too. Everything is popping now. Happy FF.

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  9. UnknownMay 17, 2017 at 2:09 PM

    You start out strong with your first FFU. I'm in love with the conifers as they send out fresh new growth...like the frosting on an already delicious cake.

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  10. Rainy Day GardenerMay 17, 2017 at 3:28 PM

    You are speaking my plant love language when you start talking about your prized conifers and Japanese maples. The color of Pinus contorta 'Taylor's Sunburst' is stunning. I agree too that the new foliage of pieris varieties is more of a standout than the actual blooms. Amazing photos!!

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  11. RobinLMay 17, 2017 at 5:47 PM

    Those conifers are delightful, especially that first one. Wow!

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  12. debsgardenMay 22, 2017 at 8:10 AM

    One thing I love about the Pacific NW is all the wonderful conifers. You have a great selection. I am jealous! I love 'Eskimo Sunset.' I confess I rarely see a variegated plant I don't like. I wish, If you decide you don't like it, that you could dig it up and send it to me. ( Though I suspect anything with 'Eskimo' in its title may not like central Alabama!)

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  13. outlawgardenerMay 25, 2017 at 8:35 PM

    Some truly choice foliage in your first FFU post! Stunning pictures.

    ReplyDelete

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