Giving Thanks

If you've followed this blog at all, you are probably wondering when I will start complaining about the short days, early evenings, boredom, paperwork, and cold gray days. And how in the world will I manage to cope this year? I can't say for sure, but it has been such a gorgeous fall that maybe I have just repressed the inevitable.
Instead of getting SAD, I have been enjoying the warm sun, the vibrant colors, the work opportunities in such conditions. I have also been savoring the last days of my "new" garden this year- the Big Leaves.

Musa velutina

Thanks to donations of some of my gardening buddies, I had an absolute ball learning about some tropical looking shrubs, bulbs and perennials that have color, flowers, texture and stature of a completely different nature from my usual conifers, succulents and maples. This new bed has been amazing, luscious, relatively easy (except a little extra water just to get it established) and a treat, in part, because it is here today and will go away when it gets cold.

Brugmansia

Here's what I have learned so far:

Some Colocasias are prolific, regardless of drought. 'China Pink' was gangbusters!! Maybe not the most beautiful, but the toughest.
Even the plain old elephant ears have been very good, without much water or fertilizer. Others with dark leaves, dark stems, yellow or dark splotches did pretty well in the harshest of sunny conditions.

Amsonia hubrectii

Amsonia hubrechtii fall color

Amsonia hubrectii is a fantastic companion plant for these big coarse leaves. The summer foliage is soft, and the fall color is fabulous.

Dahlia imperialis buds

Dahlia imperialis really does get to look like a tree before it forms buds. Unfortunately, we had a bit of early frost this year before it actually bloomed, but I have great hopes for it next year. 
 There are many new lantanas on the market that are MUCH more showy, many more hot and interesting colors, and with an excellent range of sizes and habits.

Apricot Sunrise

Ham 'n Eggs

Vanilla Ice

Lantanas and Margarita

My favorites this summer were 'Ham 'n Eggs', 'Apricot Sunrise', 'Vanilla Ice', and 'Orange Crush'. All are touted to be perennial, and we know that 'Ham n Eggs' actually is. I have my fingers crossed for the others. We'll see next spring.

I am back to loving German Iris. I have been growing both dwarf and repeat bloomers in this bed and they are wonderfully tough and tolerant companions, too.

Big leaf Castor

red leaf Castor

red stem castor bean

The Castor Beans are deadly, but divine!! This year I had red leafed, green leaf and red stemmed, and an incredible HUGE leafed one that dazzled all summer.

Tetrapanax

Tetrapanax grows great in the shade and in the sun!! I gave my little starts a slightly low but totally exposed spot, and they thrived.

Euphorbia myrsinthes and Iris

Euphorbia myrsinthes is maybe one of the most interesting tough plants I have ever grown. I have had great luck with all of them in those tough exposed places, and they have generated the most questions and general interest of all the odd plants in that bed.

Morus alba 'Ho-O'

Most of all, I guess I can say I have made it to another Thanksgiving week full of curiosity, enthusiasm and awe at the world of plants that sit at my fingertips. After a really cold and miserable winter, which was followed immediately by a hot, dry and grueling summer, I am feeling pretty good about easing into a little down time. I've still got lots to learn, and the tremendous gift of time and opportunity to experiment, absorb, and share with my plant geek friends. In this glorious fall season I am so grateful to be able to do what I do. And not even thinking yet about the winter......