Tuesday, March 16

March 2010 Foliage Follow-Up

Yes, I've shown this kalanchoe beharensis before.  And I can tell you right now that I will probably show it again. I'm completely fascinated by its leaves, which look like velvet silver:



But with a hard, slightly toasted edge:



Of course, if you look in the right light, you can see more than just the flat silver sheen of the fuzzy leaves.  Look closer, and you'll notice the lighter-colored veins that radiate out from the leaf stem end:



In some lights, the silver doesn't look so rich.  In some photos, it even washes out to an ugly yellow:



Sighting seems to be everything for this plant--the right conditions, but also the right companions to set off its chunky, soft, silvery texture:



I like where it was placed in the photo above.  I think that next year, I'm going to literally plant it out in that part of the garden instead of leaving it stuck in a little 4" pot on top of the ground.  Maybe it will get even bigger and more impressive if  it has some room to stretch its roots?  We shall see!


To find out what other plants are catching the eyes of garden bloggers everywhere, visit Pam @ Digging and see the Foliage Follow Up links for March!

9 comments:

Lisa at Greenbow said...

This is a beauty. I will look for this plant. I like silver in the garden. It seems to reflect the plants around it.

Digital Flower Pictures said...

Thanks for the help on the Kalanchoe. It does look like your plant from Cleveland but a little smaller and more dainty.

Pam/Digging said...

That IS a beautiful plant. I have a weakness for silver foliage too, and luckily we have a lot to choose from here in the southwest.

Thanks for participating, Kim. Don't forget to stop by Digging and leave your link so others can find your post.

Lona said...

Good morning. The fuzzy leaves just add a beautiful texture to the plant. The is the reason I like Lamb's Ear because of the fuzzy leaves. Hope all of your snow is now melted up north.
Lona

kris at Blithewold said...

mmmm. Your kalanchoe looks so much prettier and healthier than ours. Just imagine how it will love being planted! -- And what the heck do you to make your bergenia happy? I can't get that stuff to grow worth a damn.

Melody said...

That looks like a great plant - silvery, unusual leaves. I am sure it will look even better when it is bigger.

Gail said...

I like the silvery foliage~~very nice....Kim, you seem to get how very important foliage and texture are in a perennial bed...I am still working on that! gail

MrBrownThumb said...

That's a pretty foliage plant. Kind of big for my taste for succulents but every time I see it I want to buy one.

As a matter of fact, I had to walk away from it when I spotted it for sale by a vendor at the Chicago Flower & Garden Show last week.

joey said...

Love to hear what makes your heart sing, Kim, and why I can't stay away! From what I've heard, succulents are huge in pots this spring!

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