Plant an exclamation point!
If, like me, you are trying to grow water-thrifty plants in central Texas, you soon find that most of them have teeny-tiny leaves—think salvias, Mexican oregano, cupheas, native daisies, penstemons, etc. Teeny-tiny leaves, along with waxy and hairy leaves, are the xeric plant’s defense against water loss. That’s all well and good, but a garden filled with teeny-tiny leaves looks unfocused.
That’s when you need a strong leaf shape for contrast. Where to find a larger-leaf plant that doesn’t require a ton of water (like most tropicals)? Agaves and yuccas! See that exclamation point in the previous sentence? That’s what these architectural plants will do for your small-leaf xeric garden. Plant a few here and there, wherever you need a strong focal point, and watch them take center stage, while also setting off the small leaves to perfection.
The focal point in the stock-tank planter pictured at top is a relative of the agave called Manfreda ‘Macho Mocha.’ This particular manfreda is called a mangave (man-GAHV-ay) in a few online catalogs, as some growers suspect that it’s a cross between an agave and a manfreda. Whatever you call it, I call it divine. Just look at those cool, blue-green leaves freckled with purplish-brown spots. As you can see, it pairs beautifully with purple and silver.
Sited in part sun, the ‘Macho Mocha’ manfreda is the star of this planter. Supporting players include smaller-leaved xeric plants like silver ponyfoot (Dichondra agentea ) and Mexican bush sage (Salvia leucantha ). The middle-size leaves in the mix are ‘Black Heart’ sweet potato vine (Ipomoea batatas ) and purple heart (Tradescantia pallida ).
If you garden in more-temperate regions, you may have many more options for big-leaf “exclamation point” plants. So what do you use for oomph?
All material © 2006-2008 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
I’m not sure what I would use for oomph in a planting like that in our zone, but your ‘exclamation point’ is wonderful.
I bet you’ve got wonderful firs or spruces in your zone, right, Nancy? —Pam
Very good question! I’m not sure and have, in fact, been trying to find a plant that makes sense for Clay and Limestone. All the leaf shapes and sizes are too similar already. Your manfreda is fabulous. gail
I’d like to see what you come up with, Gail. I think eastern climates rely on vertical evergreen accents to break up fine-textured perennial foliage, don’t you? —Pam
Pam: That is a lovely plant…maybe lovely is the wrong word as it is so strong and architectural…handsome! Also enjoyed your previous posts on the Sophora seed pods. I remember coveting that tree when you showed the flowers in the spring. The seed pods are ungainly aren’t they. Let’s see, what do I plant for punctuation? Grasses come to mind as I really have resisted yuccas. I also use filled containers for punctuation points. I am going out in the garden right now. If I find others I will post! Exclamation point!
Grasses do make great exclamation points, Layanee. But what is this about resisting yuccas? I’m writing a post about one right now. 🙂 —Pam
Good “point!” I also find myself looking for variegated things to put into the garden to add interest along with leaves in any color other than green. You’ve highlighted my problem in the front bed exactly — too much of the same thing that grew much too well! I think I will add some agaves or yuccas to the grasses and the Sago when things die and I can see in there!
Sagos work well as an exclamation point too, don’t they? And you’re right that variegated leaves can liven up the mix also. —Pam
I’ve convinced myself that I need to try the stock tank method the next time I try not to kill a manfreda. Yours just keeps getting awesomer and awesomer. Pretty soon you’ll have to start every post with, “Behold, The Manfreda!” ;D
Hee, hee—I’ll have to try that next time, Lori, and see how it flies. —Pam
I am finding that the variegated elephant ears make a great exclamation point here. They can be wintered over pretty easily. Or just used as annuals. That is a lovely mangave.
Ooh, variegated elephant ears, eh? I bet they do make a statement. —Pam
Sometimes I think we have too much “oomph”. It looks like a jungle in some places. 🙂 I love the Agave, Pam. You mentioned an interest about our garden wall on Phillip’s Blog. I have a post up about it now. Happy gardening to you, I hope you have a little relief from the heat.
Thanks for the heads-up, Randy. I’ll head over in a few minutes. And we are enjoying an early reprieve from the heat—yippee! —Pam
That mangave makes a gorgeous statement. Do you think it is hardy in the Hill Country because if it is I’ve got the spot for it. How will you ever leave these plants behind?
I’m not sure I will leave this one, Jenny. FYI, Yucca Do and San Marcos Growers indicate that it’s hardy to Zone 8a and to 10 degrees F. It should do fine for you. —Pam
Thanks for the tip Pam. I’ve been looking for ways to add more contrast in the garden, and I love the manfreda.
It’s a beauty, Lee. I bet it would look great in your garden. —Pam
I have the same problem this time of year, when all the Asters are blooming. They’re pretty up close, but from a distance, it’s all a haze & cries out for something with more structure for a contrast.
So many of our drought-tolerant plants in Austin are built like asters, so I know just what you mean. Still, those asters sure are pretty, aren’t they? —Pam
Thanks Pam for showing this. I see what you mean about the combinations we talked about when you were at my house. I love these plants with the macho mocha
And aren’t you lucky that you already have a good-sized one. I enjoyed seeing your garden in person, and thanks again for the garlic chives. (Boy, did my car smell oniony when I got home!) —Pam
The Setcresea is perfect with your Mangave. I also like your combinations in the bloom day post with so many pinks surrounding the blue agaves. I tell myself I am not a pink person, but when I see it in certain combinations it is very nice.
I was told one of the best ways to see if your garden needs something different is to take a black and white picture of it. Too homogenous, then you need to add. I like Fatsia, Bananas, and Tetrapanax to add texture. My exclamation points are Sky Pencil Holly, DeGroots Spire Arborvitae and Will Flemming Yaupons.
I often tell myself I’m not a pink person too, Les, but it really depends on the shade of pink and what it’s combined with. I’ve heard that advice about taking a b/w photo. Have you ever tried it, and did it help? I’ll have to try that at the next house. And your exclamation point plants are good ones. —Pam
Wonderful idea! You’ve no idea how much inspiration you’ve been giving me the past months in my garden. I’m all into agaves and succulents now and trying to put my focus on them for their spectacular textural beauty.
Brenda
Brenda, my agave obsession was inspired by Tom Spencer, and I’m happy to spread the love. Isn’t it fun to see where inspiration will appear when reading garden blogs? —Pam
I have a grouping of 10 in my garden surrounded by a red Salvia greggi. Super plant. The flowering stalks in late spring are all the rave. Look like emerging asparagus. The late winter color is chocolate brown. I am so in love with this plant!
You have 10?! Man, am I jealous. Mine hasn’t bloomed yet, but I’m sure looking forward to it now, based on your description. —Pam
Where drainage is good, I use lavender. It does have tiny leaves, but the overall shape gives some structure to my flower beds.
Bulbine with its nice round shape works well, too, but on a smaller scale.
I grow bulbine also, but lavender doesn’t usually do well in Austin with our humid summers and wet winters. Still, I know people who have success with certain varieties. Thanks for commenting on your “exclamation points,” Treelover. —Pam
Hi there!
I am in love with your blog!! I found it while doing a web search on pomegranate bushes – I just bought 2 dwarf ones.
This is a wonderful post for inspiration, and for gardening dummies like me. I like to garden and am somewhat successful at it, but when it comes to garden design, and what will look good together – I’m at a loss. This “exclamation point” theory makes a lot of sense!
In a backyard bed I’m (trying) to plan, where I intend to plant the pomegranates, I’m going to use an old set of wooden louvered doors as a focal point. I was going to use them as a trellis for a vine.
That sounds like a great idea, Rachel. Thanks so much for your kind words about my blog. I’m glad you’re finding useful information here. Happy digging! —Pam