It’s been a cold winter, but the garden’s still got it going on
Thank heavens for evergreens, grasses, yuccas, and structural features like stock-tank ponds, big containers, and low walls. After this withering, frostbitten winter, my garden would otherwise be flattened. Of course I’ve been moaning and groaning about the damage anyway. (Isn’t that what we gardeners do?) But taking stock a few days ago, I realized there’s still plenty to enjoy in my winter garden. Case in point: the stock-tank pond, seen here reflecting a mango-colored sunset sky. Let me also give a shout-out to ‘Winter Gem’ boxwood balls and winter-tough squid agaves (Agave bracteosa) in raise-em-up-so-you-can-see-em containers.
Cast-iron plant is a dependable (if ubiquitous) evergreen for Austin too. I may not notice those upright, broad green leaves the rest of the year, but I’m sure glad to have them in the winter. Similarly, Texas nolina (Nolina texana), which grows low to the ground, becomes a winter focal point when elevated in a pot, especially framed by the winter-tan foliage of a dwarf Barbados cherry hedge (Malpighia glabra ‘Nana’). In the background, winter-hardy Yucca rostrata stands tall like a blue Koosh ball atop a trunk.
More yucca goodness here, with a twisted-leaf paleleaf yucca (Yucca pallida) elevated for attention in a purple pot atop a concrete plinth. A squid agave in a culvert-pipe planter stair-steps a little higher. Filling in around them are evergreen shade lovers ‘Cream de Mint’ pittosporum and Chinese fringeflower.
In a sunny bed along the driveway, ‘Color Guard’ yuccas take center stage with bright yellow and green stripes. Evergreen gopher plant (Euphorbia rigida) is beginning to bloom in the foreground, while last season’s inflorescences still dazzle on the pine muhly (Muhlenbergia dubia). I’ll cut the pine muhly back soon, but for now, everything that remains evergreen or stands tall through winter is treasured.
This is my February post for Foliage Follow-Up. Fellow bloggers, what leafy loveliness is happening in your garden this month? Please join me in giving foliage its due on the day after Bloom Day. Leave a link to your post in a comment below. I’d appreciate it if you’ll also link to my post in your own — sharing link love! I look forward to seeing your foliage faves.
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Looks good with all of your evergreens scattered about. I didn’t realize how many of them you have when I’ve been to the garden at other times of the year.
They definitely shine at this time of year — and in this kind of winter. —Pam
Those color guard yuccas are really dramatic. That entire border still looks good despite your weather.
Thanks, Linda. I omitted from view the sad, bleached fronds of foxtail fern, shriveled flax lily, and wilted Mexican honeysuckle, all usually evergreen in milder winters. But from this angle the border holds its own! —Pam
It’s interesting how your Barbados cherry goes from being a background plant during the growing season to an attractive focal point when it it’s dormant.
Even in the winter your garden looks spectacular! Thanks for the new technical term, “raise-em-up-so-you-can-see-em containers.” I’m always learning new things from you.
I’m always happy to coin a nice, long, descriptive phrase, Peter. 😉 I sure wish we were going to see you at the Austin Fling this year, by the way. Will miss you! —Pam
Thank goodness for evergreens! Your garden is looking great for February with lots of color and texture. It’s all about foliage and structure, especially in wintertime, and you’ve got it covered! Thanks for hosting Pam. It’s always a pleasure visiting! http://landscapedesignbylee.blogspot.com/2018/02/garden-bloggers-bloom-day-foliage.html#.WopbFoJG2u5
My, I think your garden looks fabulous during this winter despite the cold. I don’t remember that head sitting by your tank. I have been thinking rather obsessively about heads in the garden. A strange thing for this time of year but I seem to notice them everywhere I look. I would like to invite them all here. Cheers.
Carol at May Dreams would freak out at that party. I seem to remember she finds garden faces creepy — ha! —Pam
I need to find a spot for some ‘Color Guard’ Yuccas in my own garden. We haven’t had much of a winter here but at least the heat has abated. Here’s my foliage follow-up post: https://krispgarden.blogspot.com/2018/02/foliage-follow-up-return-of-ring-of-fire.html
I think most of the country suffered a harsh winter, but as a reward, we’re getting an early spring. I know it will get cold and snowy again, but I already have crocus, hellebores, and iris reticulata so far. Woohoo!
I bet they’re lovely! I’ve got pretty much nothing blooming except Carolina jessamine and loropetalum and Mexican sedum. But soon spring will make an appearance in my garden with fresh new leaves. —Pam
Is that a hummingbird I spy next to the nolina texana? 🙂
If there is one, I can’t see it. I’m hoping to see them in my garden again soon though. —Pam