Thursday bouquet
October 08, 2009
Yesterday I showed a close-up image of golden thryallis. I can’t get enough of this plant in full bloom against a backdrop of purple heart. What a gorgeous yellow and purple combo.
Putting on a cooler show are ‘Diamond Frost’ euphorbia, ‘Macho Mocha’ mangave, and the sinewy white trunk of Texas persimmon.
‘Pam’s Pink’ Turk’s cap (Malvaviscus), a new variation on the traditional red, is blooming like crazy too. I still love the red, but I can’t resist these sweet pink flowers like piped icing rosettes.
All material © 2006-2009 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
“Pam’s Pink” — how could you resist? It’s beautiful. My pink one seems lighter — are there other varieties of the pink shades?
Meredith, I think the official cultivar name for this one is ‘Pam Puryear,’ but I’ve also seen it referred to as ‘Pam’s Pink’ so much that that’s what I use. I don’t know if there are different shades of pink available. —Pam
That is a lovely yellow and the ‘Pam’s Pink’ is one you could not do without given the name. Austin is blooming in October while we are experiencing heightened leaf color. What fun.
When I saw the name, I had to have it, Layanee. I wish we had some of your leaf color here. —Pam
‘Pam’s Pink’ is a lovely Turk’s cap. Does it have to have good shade? I would like to try it. Do you have all your ‘Macho Mocha” in pots? I am wondering about the possibility of putting the one you gave me in the ground. It has good established roots. I have some smaller Manfreda in the ground. Fingers crossed.
I have the ‘Pam’s Pink’ in mostly shade, Jenny, but of course the red Turk’s cap will grow with a good deal of sun. Maybe the pink would too, but I haven’t tried it.
As for the ‘Macho Mocha’ mangave, they are all in the ground or in low pots that stay outside year-round. I’ve never brought one inside for the winter. Of course, I garden in a warmer part of Austin than you, but I think they’re fairly hardy. —Pam
I’ve read good things about the easy care of thryallis. Your pictures are gorgeous. I’m thinking of getting one for my mother-in-law’s garden. How big does it get for you? Do you prune it regularly or does it just do its thing?
Nancy, I’ve admired thryallis for many years and finally purchased one last spring. It suffered during the summer and didn’t grow much until recently. It was thirstier than I thought it would be, but of course it is a brand-new plant, so perhaps it will prove drought-tolerant later on. I’ve seen specimens around town that are taller than I am (almost 6 ft.), but they can be knocked back in a hard freeze. I’m planning to prune mine up like a small tree. —Pam
The pink Turk’s cap is lovely. I like the comparison to piped icing rosettes!
They’re yummy looking, aren’t they? 🙂 —Pam
My chickens find the leaves of Diamond Frost Euphorbia a delicious addition to their meals. Had to move my potted one (plant, not chicken) to higher “ground” to save it!
I remember your telling me that your chickens like to eat it. With that milky, unpleasant sap, you’d think they’d stay away from it. I guess it doesn’t affect them. —Pam
I got a pink Turk’s Cap the other day. It’s lighter than yours, and didn’t have a name on it.
I’m thinking the Thryallis might do well outside the fenced yard. It’s supposed to be deer resistant. I love those golden flowers.
Of course, it will be a while before all the beds are dug and ready for plants.
I know that feeling, Linda. I’m digging out beds too. It takes a while unless you can recruit some help. —Pam
The fall colors in your garden are pretty Pam. I really like the Pams pink turkscap. I am used to seeing the red one.
The red one is by far the most common, Lisa, although I had a white Turk’s cap in my old garden that I liked too. —Pam
My neighbor has a pink Turk’s cap. So beautiful maybe I should get one too. Your photos are beautiful! -Jackie
Thanks so much, Jackie. —Pam
I really like the Euphorbia, Mangave & Persimmon grouping. Its green & white color scheme looks so cool and peaceful.
There’s a heuchera that’s a cool green and white there too, just not visible in the photo. Combined with the silver stock tank, it did turn out to be a cool, restful combo. —Pam
Lovely lovelies! I learn so much after seeing plants on your blog that I don’t know about… and then go do the research. The Thryallis is really something!
Cameron
Thanks, Cameron. Thryallis might not survive your N.C. winters, unfortunately. But maybe along a south wall… —Pam
I love the Diamond frost Euphorbia. It seems to go well in every pot I’ve just stuck it in! Have not grown it in the ground. I will definitely try it next year. I was able to keep it over the winter last year in my pots that I brought inside. Does yours come back that you had planted in the ground? I guess I am just a bit north of you?
LU, the ‘Diamond Frost’ that I inherited with the garden is in the ground and did not die back during our mild winter last year. Now I have three of them in the ground, and I’m going to chance them again. However, they are in a protected warm pocket in my garden—next to a heat-absorbing retaining wall, sheltered by an overhanging tree, and near the house. I think it’ll all depend on the microclimates in your garden and the severity of the winter. —Pam
Turk’s cap is my favorite here. i like the name, too – you must have it!
I must—and I do! Are you growing the same Turk’s cap in the Pacific NW though? This one is a cultivar of a native Texas plant, Malvaviscus. —Pam
Wonderful photos! I am super in love with the color of the pink turks cap! You captured its soft beauty perfectly in your photo! Great post..terrific job!
Thanks for your kind comment, Kiki. —Pam
Pam, The Texas Persimmon trunk is wonderful~~trees with unusual bark are great additions to a garden…I wish we had more here. Love those stock tanks. I did get one! gail
I saw your post today, Gail. Yea! I can’t wait to see how it turns out, as a pond or a planter. —Pam
My Pam’s Pink turks’ caps are definitely lighter in color than yours. I wonder if soil type or temperature could be the reason? They tend to get leggy in my garden so I may try pruning them regularly next spring and summer and see if that helps. I have a few seedlings here and there if Jenny wants some.
I wonder if we’ve had cooler weather than Houston recently, Cindy, intensifying the color of the flowers? —Pam
Texas persimmon. I have seen beautiful bark on unidentified trees in the south before, I wonder if this is what that was. Whatever the case, it’s striking. I’m in love with that mangave, too. BTW, thanks for the IDs on the agaves on my post this morning, I knew you would know 🙂
Hi, Megan. Texas persimmon has a somewhat narrow range in the South. If you were outside of central or southern Texas, I wonder if you might have seen a crepe myrtle instead. Texas persimmon is often mistaken for a crepe myrtle, as its bark, trunk shape, and leaf structure do look remarkably similar. Of course, it doesn’t flower like a crepe myrtle, and it is semi-evergreen while crepe myrtle is deciduous. —Pam
I have seen such a variety of perennials on your site and I am going to have to write down the names so I will remember them. I love the pink turk’s cap and the pretty yellow thryallis. I laughed at your comment on my blog about nutsedge and I don’t think you will have to eat your trowel because I’m not sure if I will ever get rid of it all. 🙂 Take care.
Oh, I sure hope I don’t have to eat my trowel, Amy. But I DO hope you can get rid of that nutgrass. Good luck! —Pam
I’m so glad you were able to plant a golden thryallis in your new garden. We had one just under our son’s window in Florida and loved its bright cheerful blooms. I agree with many here: your ‘Pam’s Pink’ Turk’s Cap is my favorite as well. It’s on my list to plant in my back garden. Love your photos as always, Pam.
Thanks, Dawn. It’s good to hear from you again. —Pam
I’ve got the Pam’s Pink on my list and hope I can find it next weekend. The euphorbia is a great idea with the manfredas. I’m thinking about it, but while I put my baby manfredas in their pots in the possible new spot, the native white plumbago bloomed against them. I like it so much that I think I’ll be planting the manfredas tomorrow for sure! I adore my thryallis, and now that it’s two, it seems very drought-tough.
I bet the white plumbago does look nice with the mangave, Linda. And the euphorbia would fit into that scheme nicely too, I would think. —Pam
Another beautiful southern plant that is unfamiliar to me. I am a big yellow/purple fan as well. And I like your new sidebar photo!
Thanks, Elizabeth! —Pam