Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Garden Foliage: Purple

calliandra californica baja red, desert plant, small sunny garden, garden foliage,amy myers
It's roughly time for the monthly look at foliage in the garden; and despite being in the midst of final preparations for Christmas, I wanted to share some leaves today.  I have been admiring the assortment of purple-foliaged plants that increase the colour range even when out of bloom.

With some, this seems to be a response to cooler weather.  Penstemon parryi has turned a luscious metallic purple.
penstemon parryi, desert plant, small sunny garden, garden foliage,amy myers
Some leaves are greener than others, but the whole effect is striking and makes this single plant fairly spectacular during the cooler months.
penstemon parryi, desert plant, small sunny garden, garden foliage,amy myers
The nearby Eremophila maculata "Valentine" is more purple than it was, though the myriad of tiny red flowerbuds may be creating much of the colour change.  Still, its leaves run to smoky purple during winter and make an excellent foil to those little buds, which grow much larger before they burst into brilliant bloom.  This is one of the Australian shrubs which has proven its value here in the Sonoran desert, taking well to the soil and minimal water, and not flinching in the overpowering sun and heat of summer.
eremophila maculata valentine, emu bush, australian shrub, flowering shrub, desert plant, small sunny garden, garden foliage,amy myers
Mine has grown a good deal since it was planted late last year, and it now forms a respectable shrub, seen here with Penstemon parryi in the background.
eremophila maculata valentine, desert plant, small sunny garden, garden foliage,amy myers, emu bush, australian plants
Pennisetum rubrum is named for its maroon-purple leaves, now very strongly coloured.
pennisetum rubrum, small sunny garden, garden foliage,amy myers, ornamental grass
On other plants, the purple and red leaves are new growth, the brightly coloured bursts of young foliage.

On Caesalpinia pulcherrima (Pride of Barbados, among many other names), the hue is blended with copper tones.
caesalpinia pulcherrima, pride of barbados, mexican bird of paradise, desert plant, small sunny garden, garden foliage,amy myers

 On the just-planted Calliandra californica "Baja Red", a young Baja Fairy Duster bush, the colour is quite strong (see also the picture at top of post)...
calliandra californica baja red, baja fairy duster, desert plant, small sunny garden, garden foliage,amy myers
...but still not so bright as the one flower this young plant is sporting!
calliandra californica baja red, baja fairy duster, desert plant, small sunny garden, garden foliage,amy myers
And of course, there is the classic red new growth of roses, best supplied at the moment by miniature rose "Daniela".
rose daniela, desert plant, small sunny garden, garden foliage,amy myers
Aside from the question of whether the plant still qualifies as miniature (it has grown robustly over the last few months), this is a highly successful bush.  Red new growth and bright red blooms...
rose daniela, miniature rose, small sunny garden, garden foliage,amy myers
...and the foliage colours form a quiet blending with the bracts on nearby Salvia greggii "Autumn Moon"...
desert plant, small sunny garden, garden foliage,amy myers, miniature rose, salvia greggii autumn moon
...with its delicate twin flowers.
salvia greggii autumn moon, autumn sage, desert plant, small sunny garden, garden foliage,amy myers
Purple, reddish, smoky hues help create a softer mood in this climate where high contrast is produced automatically by the strong sunlight (not quite so strong over the last few days, but that is a different matter!)
eremophila valentine, australian plant, desert plant, small sunny garden, garden foliage,amy myers
Weather Diary: Partly cloudy; High: 64 F (18 C)/Low: 52 F (11 C)

8 comments:

  1. Everything looks happy, Amy. I'm falling more in love with that Eremophila every time I see it in your posts. I'm hoping for some rain early Christmas morning - I hope you get some too!

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    1. So far no rain, Kris - hope it's materializing there for you! I love the shrub; it's to the point that if I find something that says Eremophila, I don't hesitate to buy it (if I can fit it in the garden!). They've all been fantastic!

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  2. Your pictures show how well the garden is maturing, with plants really starting to bulk up. I love the tiny feathery foliage that so many of them have.
    Happy Christmas!

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    1. Isn't that feathery foliage beautiful? It belies some very tough plants; I expect it prevents moisture loss, though I'm not sure.
      Thanks so much and Happy Christmas :)

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  3. I have always liked dark leaved plants, they make a nice contrast to bright green plants.
    You are welcome to some of our rain Kris!
    Merry Christmas Amy

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    1. It's been delightful to discover these colours coming out in the garden, Brian. In many cases I didn't know to expect them, which perhaps makes it even more fun, if a bit of a design problem.
      You've probably had enough rain to spare for both Kris and me, though our Christmas weather here is just grand without it today! I hope your wet stuff clears up nicely.
      Merry Christmas!

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  4. Wow - you have some gorgeous foliage in your garden Amy and I really think that the foliage with the smokey purple tones is so useful because it goes together in an arrangement really well and is also very different too. I am just getting into flower arranging and I find it fascinating to see what arrangements can be done with just foliage. I was really taken with the Pride of Barbados - such a lovely leaf and color. Just beautiful!

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    1. I think you're quite right about the smokey-hued foliage! It works well in so many ways. The Pride of Barbados is fantastic - used everywhere here in the low desert; it's almost like an unofficial state flower... And yet, it's really from the tropics!

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