Foliage

Tropicals, like this Cynara (Cardoon) provide strong architectural interest in my gardens. For other successful combinations see http://www.gardensbos.blogspot.com.

This message was edited Dec 6, 2008 9:23 AM

Welcome!

I love the contrast of colors! Very pretty! Thanks for sharing!

Adam,

I went to the link you provided above, it went nowhere....or should I say it didn't lead me to more of your photos.

Ooops. Try now. I left a few letters out.

I love the Cardoon growing in my flower beds.

There is a spectacular collection of photos on my blog from the Missouri Botanical Garden's Annual Display Beds. All colorful monochromatic combinations of foliage. It's my understanding that a talented intern designed these combinations. He/she has a bright future! For more photos see my post from 9/28/08 at http://gardensbos.blogspot.com/2008/09/missouri-botanical-garden-annual.html

Wow Adam, job well done. The BOS beds are lovely!

Adam,

What is the 'red thread' plant in this photo> http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/fp.php?pid=5868768, bottom left?

Dale. I'm not certain about all the cultivars. It looks like a variety of Alternanthera.

Thanks. I will see if I can find it.

Is it Dragons breath?

Adam, do you know what the plant is to the left with the purple stems?

Dale, thats the prettiest one yet.

Adam, thankyou for the awesome link. Well, I'm back over to it to finish reading. Thanks again.

I second alternathera and I think the plant with the purple stems is an ornamental cabbage.

Hetty,

I finally found a photo of the Alternanthera 'Red Thread' in PlantPiles. I was surprised by it because I hadn't seen it in the local nurseries and we have a lot of Alternanthera varieties.

That reddish variegated Banana is pretty darn nice too.

All the plants in Adam's photos all larger and more robust than the ones we grow here. Must be the cooler summers and lack of pests.

The purple stemmed plant is ornamental Kale, here is another variety>

I have some of the Red Thread (still in a pot) that was in a trade package from a generous DG member. I need to find a good place for it. It's beautiful.
There also is a copperleaf (acalypha) variety that has the lacy, frilly look and I have several bushes of that. They make wonderful backdrops for plants with large features such as crinum lilies.

I think breakfast is calling. :-)

I would love to see the Acalypha.....

It is either Acalypha 'Mardi Gras' or Acalypha 'Inferno'. My camera is put away so I can't go take a picture but will keep searching, I know there have to be some pictures with it on my computer.

Dale, I have some ornamental cabbage and kale seeds that I was supposed to plant in August. Then Gustav came and I forgot about them. Is it too late. Last year, my Kale lasted until February. Should I plant the seeds or will they keep til next year?

Drapelady,

I am surprised that yours only lasted until Feb, mine went until May last year and then the aphids got them.

I would plant them, inside. Set them out in Jan. Or just skip this year. Or buy some starters.

Not sure the shelf life of the seeds of the brassica family.

Hi, Adam,

Do I not see COLEUS in your second pix?

Love it..

Hap

Speaking of Coleus. Here is a foliage group including Coleus 'Religious Radish', Colocasia 'Black Magic' and Canna 'Striata' http://www.gardensbos.blogspot.com

Thankyou Dale. I will plant them. What can I lose. Yours have been the extra push that I needed. Did you say that yours lasted outside until May. Thats very encouraging. Thanks again.

Adam, thankyou again so much for your very beautiful and informative blog. I have really enjoyed clicking and reading. At each turn you have something terrific to view and read. Love it.

thank you drapelady. check out http://www.gardeninggonewild.com. another good blog!