A Botanical Garden Visit in May

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Hats Off to Color and Form

Bear's Breeches, Acanthus mollis
The warriors headdress replicates the form of the floral inflorescence.

"Acanthus mollis, commonly known as bear’s breeches, is a clump-forming perennial that is grown as much for its attractive foliage as for its architecturally bold flower spikes. It is native to the Mediterranean region. Acanthus leaves have a classical appearance and were the source of the Corinthian leaf motif developed and used as a decoration in ancient Greek and Roman art and architecture. It is believed that the leaves of  Acanthus mollis or  Acanthus spinosis were the model for the sculptured leaves that adorn the capitals of the Corinthian columns that became popular in the 4th century B.C." MBG

A "Fascinator" of Celosia and Coleus

The whale agave has the bluish-grey colour and succulent texture of whale skin.  
The whale agave is surrounded by several varieties of succulents and cactus in this water saving demonstration garden. The mulch is made from pecan shells.

The whale agave has artistic colour, form, and texture.

More bluish-grey in a mourning dove 

A vivid red Lily

Lacy Angelica

Red yucca, Hesperaloe

Zinnia and coleus

Ornamental millet, Pennisetum glaucum 'Jade Princess'

 A container using the chartreuse ornamental millet

Pennisetum glaucum 'Jade Princess'

Ornamental millet with red coleus

Pomegranate

Cycad

The winds have been strong all week as you can see in the wispy flowers.

Flax lily, Dianella tasmanica

Gardenia

Ornamental shell ginger, Alpinia zerumbet 'Variegata'

I grow this successfully in my woodland garden (zone 7b)

Lobelia

Lobelia

Poppy, Papaver

Poppy, Papaver

                                                                                                                             

Grassroots Horticulture

2006-2019

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Variegated Leaves

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Variegation is the appearance of differently coloured zones in the leaves, and sometimes the stems, of plants. This may be due to a number of causes. Some variegation is attractive and ornamental and gardeners tend to preserve these.

Tasman Flax Lily

Dianella tasmanica 'Variegata'

Variegated Flax Lily (Dianella tasmanica 'Variegata')
Mexican Sage, Purple Basil, Holly, Autumn Sedum, Louisiana Iris

Last year I planted this Variegated Flax Lily and have found it likes this site next to a bench in my garden and underneath an oak tree. It receives enough early sunshine in this location.  Replacing the purple basil this year with purple oxalis. Flax lily is mildly toxic to humans, so wash your hands thoroughly after handling.    


 

Variegated Greater Periwinkle

Vinca  major  'Variegata'

Variegated Common Periwinkle (Vinca minor 'Variegata')

Variegated Common Periwinkle (Vinca minor 'Variegata')

Charlotte's Blush Variegated Milkweed

Asclepias curassavica  'Charlotte's Blush'

Milkweed Bug on Variegated milkweed

IRIS PALLIDA VARIEGATA

Orris Root Iris

If you have ever made potpourri you will be familiar with this iris. Orris root is used in designer perfumes and has a violet scent.

The variegated foliage is lovely after the flowers have faded.

Spurge

Euphorbia  'Ascot Rainbow'

Mediterranean Spurge

Euphorbia  'Characias' 

Variegated Solomon's Seal

Polygonatum falcatum 'Variegatum'

Liriope, Ribbon Grass

Liriope spicata  'Silver Dragon' 

Snow-on-the-Mountain

Aegopodium podagraria

The variegated form is grown as an ornamental plant, throughout the mid-west. It is considered invasive but is used by homeowners to add a  "groundcover type plant" to areas difficult to populate or dark areas underneath trees.

Shell Ginger

Alpinia zerumbet 'Variegata'

Shell ginger is a very striking ginger. The plants cannot tolerate hard freezes. It is a high contrast specimen in nearly any planting combination because of the bright yellow color in the variegated foliage.

©  Grassroots Horticulture

2000-2015

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Family | Xanthorrhoeaceae

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Kniphofia

Varagated flax (Dianella)

Daylily (Hemerocallis)

©  Grassroots Horticulture

2000-2015

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