Foliage Follow-Up, July 2015

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Welcome to hot July in Central Texas and to the monthly, leafy meme of Foliage Follow-up.  Thanks to Pam at Digging for hosting.

The pond in my Texas garden cools and soothes when the Death Star arrives and is in full force.

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Temps are hot and so is this foliage combo.

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Pretty in purple Ruby Red Runner, an Alternanthera hybrid, has spread  to the bog from its original spot as a waterfall filter plant.

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I like its creeping ways though, and it shouldn’t travel too far afield from the pond itself, as it requires water. If you read this blog, you know that this gardener, doesn’t water that garden–not enough anyway for a water-loving plant to take over.  All of the surrounding foliage beauties are water wise and appropriate pond companions: Softleaf Yucca, Yucca recurvifolia, Firecracker Fern, Russelia equisetiformis,  and Mexican Feathergrass, Nassella tenuissima.

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I especially like the leaves of the Pickerel Rush during the summer months.  The lush green, heart-shaped form lends a tropical feel in contrast to the blasting from the sun.

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As well, the Ruby Red Runner, intertwined with the large Pickerel leaves, adds a bit of spice.

What cool foliage do you have in the garden this July?  Show them off and then pop over to Digging to enjoy other hot July foliage.

17 thoughts on “Foliage Follow-Up, July 2015”

  1. The pickerel leaves do lend a tropical air to it all, but that Ruby Red is just gorgeous. I can see why you are content to let it wander a bit. Even if it did take over a tiny corner that could easily end up being one of the most interesting corners around. I’m pretty sure I’d let it run, just to see.

    I’m similarly smitten with tradescantia pallida and other spider wort plants. Those purple pops in the garden never fail to soothe.

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    • I love it too! I’m a bit envious of the gardeners in Europe and cooler climes of North America who can grow plants of varying colors. I’m not familiar enough with many of those plants to know whether they require lots of water or care (hopefully not either), but I grow a bit weary of our grays and greens. The Tradescantia pallida is a wonderful change of pace and so very tough for our climate and gardening situation. It’s get’s lots of play in my gardens. The Ruby Red is similarly a nice colorful addition.

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    • Thanks, Beth. It is a respite from the heat. So much activity and the sound of water. Sigh. Alternanthera is a lovely group of plants; I imagine the only ones we can grow here would be bog plants, but I’m glad to have one.

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    • Foliage is definitely a big part of an aesthetically pleasing garden. I imagine that’s the reason why there are two garden blogging memes dedicated to it. 🙂

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  5. Such a nice textural display! I love the Firecracker fern, I thought to be an Equisetum, but makes sense. Any flowers will fade eventually and what we are left with, if not the foliage? 🙂

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  7. A real oasis. I just love your pond. We have some really outstanding native water garden plants (like the pickeral rush) here in Texas. Why they aren’t used more often kind of boggles the mind.

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  8. A pond is such a welcome relief in summer, isn’t it? It doesn’t have to be big for big impact either. I enjoyed seeing your pond garden foliage combos. It’s especially fun to see bog plants combined with dry garden plants like yucca!

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