First, a warning: this post is likely be a contender for "most visually uninspiring". But I'll be quick to justify it by pointing out it's all about anticipation and relief - anticipation of lush foliage and flowers this summer, and relief that plants I was sure had not survived winter have come through after all.
The Fargesia robusta clumps are in their second spring, and each plant is sending up as many new shoots as there are existing canes. See all the new white culms in the background? We'll enjoy a bit more privacy from it this year, for sure.
Amazingly, Eucomis pallidiflora ssp. pole-evansii is still alive and returning after being stepped all over by visiting dogs. This is very exciting, people!
The Eucomis comosa 'Sparkling Burgundy' plants are up and going for it. Maybe they'll even bloom this year.
I love the fat terminal buds and perky little leaves on Calistemmon viridiflorus. This will be its third year in the ground...are flowers in my future this summer?
I should know better than to think our winter would do in a fig. Still, it was a sweet relief to see new leaves on my very small Ficus 'Violette de Bordeaux".
Last, after going into the ground last summer, my beloved Hesperaloe parviflora must have settled too low during winter: all the leaves rotted off at the ground and I was sure I had killed it. But look beside the nasty stump: a new shoot!
Foliage Follow-Up is hosted by Pam at Digging on the 16th of each month (I'm a day late.) Click on the link to enjoy some actual foliage for beautiful April inspiration.
The Fargesia robusta clumps are in their second spring, and each plant is sending up as many new shoots as there are existing canes. See all the new white culms in the background? We'll enjoy a bit more privacy from it this year, for sure.
Amazingly, Eucomis pallidiflora ssp. pole-evansii is still alive and returning after being stepped all over by visiting dogs. This is very exciting, people!
The Eucomis comosa 'Sparkling Burgundy' plants are up and going for it. Maybe they'll even bloom this year.
I love the fat terminal buds and perky little leaves on Calistemmon viridiflorus. This will be its third year in the ground...are flowers in my future this summer?
I should know better than to think our winter would do in a fig. Still, it was a sweet relief to see new leaves on my very small Ficus 'Violette de Bordeaux".
Last, after going into the ground last summer, my beloved Hesperaloe parviflora must have settled too low during winter: all the leaves rotted off at the ground and I was sure I had killed it. But look beside the nasty stump: a new shoot!
I totally get that spring in other climates is all about expectation and relief (we feel that way in the fall here in Texas), and I enjoy seeing your new shoots pushing up again too. Thanks for joining in for Foliage Follow-Up!
ReplyDeleteAnd thank YOU for hosting with all your gorgeous xeric foliage, Pam.
DeleteI share your excitment ,after some rough winters recently , to see things that are border line tender make it through.
ReplyDeleteI almost hold my breath some years. Thank goodness this winter went easy on us - we were due!
DeleteSo glad your plants are all up and thriving...and glad your Hesperaloe recovered...it's so awful to lose a plant like that!
ReplyDeleteThat's what I get trying to grow these marginally tender things, I guess. You probably have much less heartache with your definitive perennials and annuals, Scott!
DeleteYou all must have had a crazy winter, or spring?, out there. I don't think we lost any Hesperloe this year. Anyway yours'll come back quickly from an existing root system.
ReplyDeleteI love the Callistemon bud; buds are the best. I've seen coffee table books on leaves, fruits, and flowers of course but not buds?
Anyway, that looks like a flower bud. Have you had growth buds that big before?
You grow Hesperaloe THERE? Or is it in your Florida garden? Thanks for letting me know you think those are Calistemmon flower buds - Yippee skippy!
DeleteHooray for the Hesperaloe! I have mine in a clay pot and it did fine outside all winter. And having Eucomis winter over is a feat I have been unable to accomplish. Kudos to you!
ReplyDeleteGrace, I'm amazed that they have done so well with my lackluster prep of my clay soil!
DeleteAu contraire: I find the raindrops on Fargesia quite visually inspiring! And hooray for the return of the informative sidebar. You will return to first stop on every blog-browsing session.
ReplyDeleteHappy to return your sidebar helper, Ricki - browse away!
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