Seed pods of Lagerstroemia (Crape Myrtle)
Today is the Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. Arrival time in pbmGarden is 6:03 PM EST.
Tomorrow is Garden Bloggers Foliage Day (GBFD), hosted by Christina at Garden of the Hesperides. In anticipation I walked around the garden with the camera in late morning, when the air was quite chilly and the sky, quite gray and dull. Later the sun peeked out.
The Lagerstroemia (Crape Myrtle) lost its leaves long ago but the seed pods still provide a bit of interest and an interesting coloration on the bark of the Crape Myrtle’s trunk set my imagination to wandering.
Intriguing mark on trunk of Crape Myrtle.
The screening hedge of five Juniperus chinensis ‘Blue Point’ has grown considerably this year. I like the height, but not the shape of these trees and how to prune them properly is a mystery to me.
Juniperus chinensis ‘Blue Point’ (Blue Point Juniper)
Last December the junipers were decorated for the holiday season, but not yet this year. This picture is from last year’s GBFD post.
Juniperus chinensis ‘Blue Point’ (Blue Point Juniper). Lavender is in left foreground.
The small Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Ruby Slippers’ in the Western border continues holding on to its rich fall color.
Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Ruby Slippers’ (Lil’ Ruby dwarf Oakleaf Hydrangea)
Some of the gardenia hedge is not doing well along the Western border where many bushes never recovered from the deep cold last winter. A couple are looking fairly green, but others look miserable. I read it is possible to cut them to the ground to rejuvenate them and may give it a try for those worst affected.
This Gardenia jasminoides ‘Chuck Hayes’ is doing well.
This Gardenia jasminoides ‘Chuck Hayes’ needs rejuvenation.
In the meditation circle many Penstemon digitalis ‘Husker Red’ (Beardtongue) have volunteered. I keep moving them around into different areas of the garden. The foliage stays colorful and healthy through most of the winter.
Penstemon digitalis ‘Husker Red’ (Beardtongue)
When we moved here the front foundation shrubs were underplanted with a row of Liriope spicata (creeping lilyturf). This spreads by runners and is a difficult plant to remove or even contain but it does have attractive fruit this year.
Liriope spicata (creeping lilyturf)
Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ (Herbstfreude) is nearing the end of its usefulness for 2014. I really like its early green florets and enjoy watching it move from pink to dark red. I have left its browned flowers alongs with many other plants for birds.
Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ (Herbstfreude)
This sedum maintains a brighter, more colorful presence in the garden. It is Sedum rupestre ‘Angelina’ (Angelina Stonecrop). Most of it is yellow, but some tips are bright pink.
Sedum rupestre ‘Angelina’ (Angelina Stonecrop)
On the north side of the house this camellia hybrid is full of buds. An unusually cold winter kept this from blooming last year so I hope 2015 will be kinder to it. Its green leathery leaves are glossy and attractive year-round.
Camellia x ‘Coral Delight’
Thanks to Christina for hosting the GBFD review. Visit her to see what foliage she and others are featuring this month.
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