FOLIAGE FOLLOW UP SEPTEMBER 2010

Pam, at Digging, reminds us that the garden isn't just about the flowers. Without foliage there would be no flowers. Some plants only flower after many years so if we are going to enjoy them in the garden then we must be happy with their leaves. Here are a few of my favorites.

My Agave,Bloodspot. I picked this one up in California last year and grow it in a pot just to be sure of controlling its growing conditions.

This is the Manfreda maculosa. If you see something in common between it and 'blood spot' it is because 'bloodspot' is a likely cross between maculosa and A. macroacantha.

Flowering of pink ruby grass will be late this year. This one plant is a hang over from last year but most of the plants are weeks away from flowering. Their foliage is one of the best of the small grasses remaining green with no additional watering.

Grandfather's pipe, Callisia fragrans, was a passalong from Diana, at Sharingnnature's Garden. It was going great guns in the spring and early summer until a wren decided to build its nest in the pot. It was the largest wren nest I have ever seen and resulted in several branches dying and the plant being stunted. when we came home I moved out the nest, watered the plant and it is now on its way to better health. It hangs on the front gate.

This is something that has never happened before. The sago palm is putting on a new set of leaves. It normally puts out only one ring in the spring. It was late this year and now, after the rain, it is putting out more! Strange year.

A combination of sweet potato vines and ornamental pepper in a pot. I'm nt noted for my pot culture but this one has worked well.

A few graptopetalum survived the winter and are now in a hanging planter in a shady spot. They will come inside for the winter. Austin weather is not to be trusted.

My wonderful Agave desmettiana X variegata. It wouldn't be my garden without them. My treasures.

Agave augustofolia x variegata, will probably have to come in for the winter.

Finally, what color on the lower leaves of the amaranth. A sure sign that fall is on the way. Please!

TOUGH DECISIONS

Last November the hanging basket of graptopetalum was breathing a sigh of relief having made it through a wretchedly hot dry summer. It really liked the dry part. Unfortunately the worst was yet to come. Frigid cold followed by wet.

Left outside all winter the stems began to rot and disease spread down the stems until it reached the leaf rosettes. At this point I began to cut off the best of the rosettes and, after a day of drying, set them in a bed of pumice. As rot continued to spread down the remaining stems I realized that more drastic measures needed to be taken.

Yesterday I made the decision to pull everything out and redo the whole basket. The remaining rosettes were hung out to dry in the mesh potting shed bench.

The rosettes planted in the pumice have all rooted. Pumice is the most incredible medium for rooting.

It may take time for the planter to retain its former glory but these little plants are tough when it comes to surviving the hardships of a Texas climate. They root from leaves which are left to dry out on the ground, quickly forming miniature rosettes of leaves.