The leaves of Zantedeschia 'Flame" are as good as the flower.
Ensete ventricosum 'Maurelii': these dark red leaves make it worth pulling the plant in fall and replanting in spring.
I showed the flower of this NOID Canna yesterday. Here's the leaf that gains it admission to the garden. (Update: this is Canna 'Pretoria'.)
Now a couple of other foliage plants I'm enjoying this month:
Meliathus major 'Purple Haze'. When you touch or move the leaves, it's clear why its common name is Honey Bush.
Tetrapanax paperifera 'Steroidal Giant'. The mild winter let this plant get an early start, and it's about eight feet tall now. Can you see a little black dot near the center part of the edge of the lowest leaf?
There he is, just waking up this morning. What a great place to camp out on a warm summer night!
For more foliage fun, visit Pam, the host of Foliage Follow-Up at Digging.
Love the Melianthus...those serrated leaves...and that lovely color...yum!
ReplyDeleteYep, it's a total winner. Smells so cool, too!
DeleteI love the beautiful lush foliage! I just got a Melianthus major on the weekend. It doesn't say 'purple haze' but I think thats what it is because its so blue. That is some striking summer foliage! LOVE IT!
ReplyDeleteThere's also a fabulous Meliathus major that's even bluer called 'Antonow's Blue' that I covet even more.
DeleteI think you win the prize for the biggest leaves shown in a Foliage Follow-Up post, MM. How fun those are!
ReplyDeleteI love a tropical look in summer - it's right up there with the xeric dry-tolerant lovelies that you usually have there.
DeleteThat little guy who's discovered your bee campground just looks so cuddly, doesn't he? Those BIG leaves really speak to me.
ReplyDeleteI do love a bumble bee, Ricki. Not sure I'd go so far as to cuddle him, though...
DeleteI love that Tetrapanax. I neeeeeeed one. I'm wondering how complicated it is to overwinter the banana inside.
ReplyDeleteI bet you could overwinter your red banana inside. Mine's in such a large pot, I can't wrestle it in, nor do I really have the space for it. But try it if you have the space and be sure to let us know how it goes.
DeleteOkay, that it. I *have* to find a spot for a Melianthus and a Tetrapanax. You evil temptress.
ReplyDeleteMwaaahaahaa!
DeleteYes, the Ensete has decided to leaf out beautifully. It's not particularly tall, but it's leafy. I wonder if Linda's is better, too. Mine gets morning sun, so it's not even getting much damage from our current hot days.
ReplyDeleteGreat Bloom Day and FFU posts, Jane. I cut my Purple Haze back to the ground in July -- doesn't seem to like summer! Yours looks beautiful.
ReplyDeleteAnd your Purple Haze probably looks fantastic over winter, Denise - here in winter, it's cut or worry.
DeleteLovely! I need more cannas. And evidently I also need to roughhouse with my Honey Bush more--does it really smell like honey?!
ReplyDeleteBria, you tell me how Melianthus major smells to you...I'd say not exactly like honey, but similar, and sweetly aromatic.
DeleteTropical Oregon--who knew?
ReplyDeleteThe "honey bush" name I thought was because it smells bad and they were being ironic. South African humor?!?
Scent is quite personal, yes? I like the smell!
DeleteVery cool FF. I love all your bold foliage photos. Easily as nice as flowers.
ReplyDelete