Thursday, August 20, 2009

Did Someone Say "Let's Look at Green?"

Taking a look at foliage

Click on the photos to enlarge.
(Please pardon the bit of red.)


These first two photos were taken June 10.
Above: Sweet Woodruff in the foreground, a daylily on the left, phlox on the right, sedum in the extreme lower right corner, sedum next to the hanging geranium, and Liatris Spicata in the upper right corner.


In the photo below - top left: a variety of sedum, phlox closer to us, daffodil greenery behind the birdbath, and lupine to the right, two clumps of thrift in the foreground with a petunia (reseed) between, to the right of the thrift in the foreground is a lot of another variety of sedum. Past the lupine is a large clump of daylily, a third variety of sedum near the rocks, and upright sedum and another daylily. You'll also see a few weeds and Moss Rose between the little stones. Whew. I should give you all the varieties, but I'm too tired.

These two photos were taken July 4.

It rained. ;-)
In the photo above: Ligularia in front, with a hosta reaching up behind it. To the right, you'll see more hosta, ferns, pulmonaria and a bit more.


Below you'll see fading Grape Hyacinths in the center foreground, a hosta on the left and two different Japanese Painted Ferns on the right. On beyond, a variety of Hostas, Blackberry Lily, Tricyrtis (two varieties), Tripartita, Aruncus, and a Wild Cherry tree branch on the right. What you don't see at the front of this bed is a new Hydrangea, a Daylily, a Pulmonaria, and a Bleeding Heart.


The following photo was taken August 1.

A stand of prairie gives plenty of variety when it comes to green.

This was taken at the Wildlife Safari west of Omaha.
It is connected with the Henry Doorly Zoo.


This is the last photo of anything "green" that I downloaded to the computer before finding myself in need of purchasing a new camera.

This has been a wonderful summer for keeping things green. I'm in love with our weather! :-)

13 comments:

Chloe m said...

Thanks for sharing all that refreshing green. It all looks great, and since my yard is browning up nicely, It was a sight for sore eyes.
I remember taking our kids to H.D. zoo when I was 7 months pregnant with our third child. The ocean part was pretty cool with sharks swimming over our heads.
Rosey

troutbirder said...

Green is good! We go thru Omaha on the way to Colorado. Wondering if the zoo is worth our time??

Shady Gardener said...

Rosey, The zoo continues to expand and improve. You should go again! :-)


Troutbirder - Absolutely!! It's very easy to find. I-80, just over the Iowa/Nebraska border. You really can't miss it. I love the place!

Northern Shade said...

The sweet woodruff looks so pretty growing between the phlox and daylily. The little edging in front should keep it there. Your border with the Hosta looks good. The large blue leafed Hosta makes a big focus there. My Japanese painted ferns never grow very many fronds, probably because they get such a late start.

Mr. McGregor's Daughter said...

Green it has been, and it's such a lovely color. I so admire your Ligularia, it looks so great with Hosta and ferns. Is that a real bison in the last photo?

Shady Gardener said...

Hi Northern, I think the amount of light, etc., etc. have much to do with Japanese Painted Ferns. Mine are doing some better this year. I think it's the last year's rain and this year's cool rainy season. :-)

MMD, Ah! No, it's a beautiful sculpture found at the Wild Safari park west of Omaha. Click on "My Grandchildren" for the rest of the story. ;-)

Anonymous said...

Green is all too often overlooked. It complements the more showy plants even after the flowers are gone.

Shady Gardener said...

Hi Chad and Brandy! I think I'm so appreciating this year's cool, rainy weather even more because usually by this time in the Summer, the grass is dormant and everything is struggling to look good. This year we have a lot to be thankful for! :-)

Corner Gardener Sue said...

I enjoyed your foliage photos. Everything is looking healthy. I planted a couple lupines in a spot where they probably don't have enough room. They aren't getting very big. Maybe I'll try some more in my new bed.

You mentioned black and blue salvia not being hardy where you live. I grow them as annuals. I'm not sure I knew they are perennials in warmer places.

Have a great weekend!

Shady Gardener said...

Hi Sue, I like the looks of 'Black and Blue' Salvia. I believe Lupines are biennial plants - in that they might live 2 years but reseed themselves (if we're lucky!) ;-)

You should check out my Grandchildren site right now. I have our trip to Platte River State Park outside Omaha.

You have a great weekend, too! :-)

Gail said...

Shady, That's a lovely display of greenery! You have two plants that don't survive in this garden, ~ligularia and sweet woodruff! Whenever I've had ligularia it needed watering almost everyday and the SW has never gotten to the pretty like your groundcover stage. They are both wonderful in your garden. gail

Kathleen said...

That is a lot of greenery Shady Gardener. I'm glad someone is enjoying the cooler, wetter weather this summer has brought. I know the moisture is good but I've missed the heat! Has your camera arrived yet?

Shady Gardener said...

Hi Gail, Poor ligularia is a little droopy today. He needs help during the dry days here! Do you have liriope? Mine is blooming now. I have two varieties, but I lost the tag on one. It's kind of a tallish, wide-leaved grassy looking plant.

Hi Kathleen, I know what you mean about the heat. I'm not missing it tooooo terribly, but I know the farmers are. No... my camera is not here, yet. They tell me it's on backorder. Hopefully within the week or so. (I can hardly wait!) :-)