Thursday, February 16, 2012

Foliage Follow-Up: February 2012

Newly emerging spring foliage is the focus for this February 2012 Foliage Follow-Up post hosted by Pam at Digging on the 16th each month.  Join Pam and other bloggers from around the world as we show off the foliage in our gardens.

Spring arrives early here in south Texas.  While our winter was mild overall we had a freeze back in the late fall that knocked back many perennials.  With our recent warm weather, the foliage on those plants is emerging and perennials that didn't die back completely are showing new spring growth.

Salvia Madrensis is a shade loving favorite that blooms only in the fall.  I'm pleased to see all this new growth on a first-year plant meaning I can probably divide it this year.


Nepeta 'Walker's Low' bloomed beautifully through the heat and drought of last summer and I will divide this second year plant soon for more blooms this summer.  It needs a haircut but I've learned from experienced local gardeners to leave my perennials alone for a few more weeks so the old foliage will insulate against a late freeze.


The Northern Sea Oats (Chasmanthium Latifolium) are jumping up quickly, almost time to cut back the old growth.


I'm delighted to see the variegated Northern Sea Oats (Chasmanthium Latifolium) 'River Mist' I planted last fall are sprouting nicely.  I was all set to order these from an online source when I found them locally at Rainbow Gardens.  They were almost dormant when planted so I haven't seen them at their best in my garden yet.


Salvia 'Indigo Spires' hasn't looked this good in the last two years and should send up striking blue spikes of bloom soon.


This has been a great winter for the garden and I'm looking for some beautiful blooms and foliage this spring.

Thank you Pam for hosting Foliage Follow-Up.

18 comments:

  1. I looked up that Salvia madrensis...that's gorgeous! Did you find it locally?

    There are lots of things coming up early here, too. I hope that means we'll have lots to enjoy later this year. This rain has made such a big difference.

    Happy Foliage day.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Salvia Madrensis was a passalong plant from a gardening friend here in San Antonio. I do know Andrea at Hill Country Gardens in New Braunfels has it, but call first to check.

      It's stunning in the fall when everything else is dying back and a big plus is the deer have ignored it, not even a nibble.

      Delete
  2. Wow! Seeing how far along your Northern Sea Oats (Chasmanthium Latifolium) is certainly drives home the difference in our climates. Mine isn't anywhere near waking up!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's a good bit warmer this year. When we are between weather fronts we get temps in the 80's.

      We pay for that in August!

      Delete
  3. Very exciting. We're experiencing the same thing here as well.....the early spring this year. Of course this is making me get things done sooner rather than later and messing with my garden calendar.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. After two years of record cold it's a bit confusing for sure.

      Delete
  4. Looks like you'll be having an early spring this year. After our recent cold snap, our garden doesn't know what's happening.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Crystal, you have some beautiful plants blooming even with the odd weather.

      Delete
  5. I need to move my Salvia madrensis. It gets too much sun and isn't happy, but it always comes back, bless its heart. My inland sea oats are growing fast too. I just moved my 'River Mist' oats to a shadier spot and hope they'll be happier this year.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Salvia Madrensis is so beautiful and its preference for shade is such a plus. I'll have to keep an eye on the 'River Mist' because the spot can get sun in late summer.

      Delete
  6. Oh please don't mention a late freeze. I just couldn't take it. Yes I know it could happen but if I have to take my plants in again there will be a few cross words. I am thrilled my S. madrensis made it through the winter too. I loved it so much that I plan to add some more this year, even if it behaves like an annual in some colder years.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We have such a range here that only a few natives escape loss from either an unusually cold winter or the heat in August. We just sigh and replace the losses.

      Delete
  7. If only the moisture and warmth continues, and I think it will for you. (here, I hope it warms to make our moisture work) What a variety of plants Casa Fox has that are growing well or ready to!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's raining again this weekend, but not too cold. Like many gardeners I know I'm trying to cut back on the variety, especially in the front yard but it's not easy.

      Close, we call it "Casa Zorro".

      Delete
  8. I'm happy to find a salvia that's shade loving! I will definitely look into this one. Pretty foliage. Spring growth is always so exciting!

    ReplyDelete
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