My front porch is like the Twilight Zone of foliage right now. On one side of the door, you can see the bizarre coexistence of black elephant ear and variegated monstera. They have grown together such that it appears the elephant ear is wearing a clown's ruffled collar! (So much for making a serious foliage statement there!)
Below that little vignette, a more serious-looking rex begonia stands watch as the monstera slowly unfurls a new leaf. I love how the new leaves look like corkscrew twists!
And, just because I have been so enamored of it lately, I'm going to finish with a few more shots of the front yard:
The photos above all show the same area, which is along the walk leading up to my front steps. Any time I get out of my car, I face this area, so I make it a point to keep things interesting here. (And I aim for interesting backlighting, too.)
I also like it that the taller plants (oakleaf hydrangea, caryopteris, purple ninebark, switchgrass, etc.) keep part of this hidden from the street and public sidewalk. It feels like a little slice of hidden garden, which is very welcome on my busy street!
8 comments:
Love it all...that Begonia is so amazing looking...like an alien! Your front garden is one I would love to come hope too as well...especially all those lovely grasses, it must look loved when the wind blows! What's the plant with the reddish leaves at the front of the border?
Kim, you and Danger Garden are poster children for Foliage Follow-Up. You always focus on foliage and use it so well! Lots of lovelies here.
I so admire your foliage combinations Kim. I just love Rex begonias but can't seem to over winter them well. Your little secret garden is sweet.
Scott, it DOES look like an alien! Haha... that reminds me of something a friend of my ex's said when he came to visit once: "Hey, can your girlfriend come over and tell me what to plant in my yard? I want to look like I'm growing plants from outer space, too." LOL.
The spiky red plant just behind the iris leaves is 'Sparkling Burgundy' eucomis, and the reddish purple foliage mixed in with the flowering sedum in the foreground is some variety of lyreleaf sage. (I'm guessing that the pineapple lily caught your eye, but I mentioned the sage, too, just in case.)
Aw, thanks so much, Pam! Considering how much of a maestro you are with the foliage, I especially appreciate that.
Greenbow Lisa, you're so sweet! I bet that you're being too nice to the rex begonias, by the way. I'm not exaggerating when I say that I stick them in an East-facing window and barely water them at all over the wintertime. (About as often as I water the succulents, really!)
I'm so impressed with your blogging frequency. I think I've got the 5 year itch -- as in itching to do something other than blog. I've been just terrible at posting lately. Too busy pulling weeds, I guess. Loved the foliage. :)))
You have so much texture which is important. A study in foliage for sure.
wonderful foliage. hope you have been enjoying all my jazz posts! but the garden was strongly urging me to spend some time this week celebrating new blooms.
I love the mix of textures! that Rex begonia looks so prehistoric, doesn't it?!
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