Perfect fall afternoon
My last post showed my garden in morning light. Today it’s all about afternoon light. There’s nothing like bamboo muhly (Muhlenbergia dumosa), an ornamental bunch grass from Arizona, for capturing light.
Bamboo muhly incandesces into a yellow-green cloud when the light shines through it. The variegated American agave behind it picks up the same colors.
Also catching the evening rays, ‘Angelina’ sedum and golden barrel cactus make a pretty pair in a blue pot. To my eyes, everything in the garden looks good with cobalt blue, especially xeric or desert plants.
The foliage of pineapple sage (Salvia egelans) takes on that same yellow-green hue as the sun goes down.
The red flowers really pop against that bright-green foliage.
Another look
The dainty white flowers of ‘Diamond Frost’ euphorbia shine in the moonlight. But earlier, in the evening, its foliage glows yellow-green too.
I love it with the purply black valentines of ‘Black Heart’ sweet potato vine.
Don’t underestimate the light-grabbing qualities of agaves. Their spines and teeth often glow red when the light hits them. Those with yellow variegation, like this Agave desmettiana ‘Variegata,’ also show well.
The spines of golden barrel cactus snag the light as easily as your clothes if you get too close.
Fuzzy red Salvia greggii flowers blaze in the setting sun’s light.
A celebration of light…
…and a celebration of life. Today is El Dia de los Muertos, a Mexican holiday for remembering the dead that Austin embraces each year with a downtown parade, skull bread and sweets in grocery stores, and Day of the Dead art and Spanish performances in schools. The parade was held early this year (October 24!), and I missed it. This image of La Muerte is my favorite from 2008’s Dia de los Muertos parade.
Happy Day of the Dead! Here’s to those we’ve loved and lost.
All material © 2006-2009 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
Buen Dia de los Muertos to you, as well. Nice afternoon light — I love the way its rays come through the agaves as well when they are back lit.
I particularly like the afternoon light effect on the grasses but have a tough time capturing it in a photo. Your photos are great, as usual. The white frost euphorbia looks fantastic with that black heart sweet potato vine. I’ll have to research what kind of light that combo likes and think about a place for it in my garden!
I have this combo in part sun, Iris. Morning sun (as with seemingly all plants) would be better than afternoon sun in the summer. —Pam
I love the acid green with the cobalt blue….very pretty shots.
Pam you are so correct about the blue glazed pots. Perfect! Such a mediterranean look. I wish I was a blue fan so I could enjoy this in my own garden. Instead I’ll enjoy it in yours!
What colors do you prefer, Loree? I think you like orange, and blue sure looks good with it. 😉 —Pam
I love the combination of chartreuse and cobalt blue. That blue reminds of those Moroccan gardens I would like to visit one day.
Hi Pam! Very sunny, bright, cheerful garden! Does it stay like this year round?
Well, there are a lot of evergreen plants in my garden, and my neighbor’s hedge and the live oak trees stay green all winter too. But there are plenty of seasonal changes going on. I have irises, spring- and fall-blooming bulbs, salvias, roses, and plenty of other blooming plants tucked in here and there for seasonal color. As you’ll have noticed in this post, I also like to use colorful pots and a bottle tree (and one day, if I’m lucky, a painted wall) for all-season color. —Pam
Your garden is beautiful in any light. I remember the lady from last years day of dead. She is striking.
I am a real agave/cacti/sedum nut. I love that one big agave over by the bottle tree. I have a lot of agaves, but I don’t have that one. I am going to look for one.
I think cobalt blue looks terrific with any other color. Even when the plants are not lit up by the sun, and their green clothes are more subdued, the cobalt blue is still electric. Gorgeous!
Just a sprinkling of yellow on those agave and cactus really lights up in the afternoon sun. Sedum cascading over the edge of pots always works well and with the blue pot looks stunning. I just have a couple of blue/green pots at my entrance gate. Must think about more color from pots.
The light is caressing the plants in your garden Pam. The pineapple sage is such a wonderful plant. My son Brokenbeat has given me a piece of one with true yellow leaves to overwinter in the greenhouse for cuttings for next year, not hardy here. Yours looks nearly as golden. The shot from last year is a favorite of many. I think I saw it printed at Christopher’s place. Truly a haunting image.
Frances
I must’ve been reading your blog at least a year, because I do remember that striking portrait from 2008 Day of the Dead — you nailed it with that one, Pam. And count me another fan of cobalt blue (just brought three blue pots home, sale finds). Fall is a wonderful time, and thank goodness those high temps are behind us!
Pam, I remember that incredible costume from last year’s post! Don’t you love Pineapple Sage’s neon red glow! You are the Queen of Cobalt Blue containers and as Queen, you do know how to use them beautifully…I love the blue echo of the pool. gail
Lovely garden photos of the changing light. The day of the dead photo is perfect to give tribute to all those gone.
Wonderful light! And I agree — Is there anything that doesn’t go with blue?
I love blue too. My cobalt blue bottle tree (copied exactly from yours) is my favorite thing in my yard. Gosh, you take such great photos, Pam. LOVE that beautiful Dias de los Muertos photo.
Hi Pam, and Happy Day of the Dead to you too. Interesting that many cultures embrace a celebration like this just before winter. Makes one think doesn’t it? I absolutely love the pineapple sage. It’s glowing firecracker red in my garden right now too. And, yes, agaves are just about the perfect spiny plant. 🙂 ~~Dee
Your garden looks fabulous seen in that light. I love all the touches of blue that appear here and there. And I would dress for Halloween if I could fix myself up like that woman in your last image. What a striking face!