Stachys byzantina (Lamb’s Ear) in this morning’s sunlight
Time again for Garden Bloggers Foliage Day (GBFD), hosted by Christina at Garden of the Hesperides.
When I showed a tour of the garden several days ago, I saved one section along the Southern Path to feature for foliage day. On both sides of the walkway silvery Stachys byzantina (Lamb’s Ear) and further back, gray-green Lychnis coronaria (Rose Campion), add enchantment to this border. Both are full of buds. [Note: In an earlier version I had mislabeled the Stachys byzantina (Lamb’s Ear) as Lychnis coronaria (Rose campion).]
Stachys byzantina (Lamb’s Ear) and Lychnis coronaria (Rose Campion) several days ago
Budding Stachys byzantina (Lamb’s Ear)
Further down the path toward the main garden, spears of Baptisia ‘Purple Smoke’ are making ready to bloom. I like the soft green leaves.
Baptisia ‘Purple Smoke’
More soft green in this border comes from the tender young foliage of Perovskia atriplicifolia (Russian Sage) and from a mound of Artemisia ‘Powis Castle’ (Wormwood).
Perovskia atriplicifolia (Russian Sage)
Artemisia ‘Powis Castle’ (Wormwood)
I spotted a down-the-street neighbor working in her yard Saturday. She remembered I had inquired about getting some of her Chrysanthemum ‘Sheffield Pink’ (Hardy Chrysanthemum) when she was ready to divide them. The next day I discovered a nice clump of them in a pot on my porch.
Chrysanthemum ‘Sheffield Pink’ (Hardy Chrysanthemum)
After errands yesterday morning I visited the nursery at Southern States (along with half of Chapel Hill! It was very busy.) Everyone is excited to be out planting this time of year. I found another gardenia to try and planted it along the back fence. This is Gardenia jasminoides ‘Frost Proof’ (Gardenia ‘Frost Proof’).
Gardenia jasminoides ‘Frost Proof’ (Gardenia ‘Frost Proof’)
Also I brought home a few new plants with colorful and textured foliage.
New purchase from Southern States
This one with silvery foliage is Arctotis hybrid ‘Orange’ (Orange African Daisy). I bought it to accompany some small orange zinnias.
Arctotis hybrid ‘Orange’ (Orange African Daisy)
The others I bought to insert into some bare spot around the garden—one Alternanthera ‘Red Threads’ and two Amaranto tricolor ’True Yellow’ (Joseph’s coat). After I got home I became nervous when reading about them online. They seem to be rather reliable spreaders.
Should I keep them in pots or try them in ground?
I often wonder what gardening would be like if I were not always trying to pull out some things that have become too aggressive. I have never been intrigued much by time travel but a time machine would come in handy to eliminate certain plants.
Alternanthera ‘Red Threads’
Amaranto tricolor ’True Yellow’ (Joseph’s coat)
Visit Christina at Garden of the Hesperides for a look around her garden in Italy and find links to foliage posts from many parts of the world.
