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Sunday, November 16, 2014

Foliage Follow-up November 2014

While I was out yesterday getting bloom photos I decided to go for two and capture the mist on my foliage plants for Foliage Follow-up sponsored by Pam at Digging.  Those of you who live in perennially damp climates are probably laughing yourselves silly by now.  We average about 30 inches of rain a year which usually arrives in downpours just a few days a year and within a few hours it's dry out there again.  A series of rainy days or a light mist/drizzle day is rare.  Even if you find my misty wonderment hilarious I hope you will enjoy these views of my garden.

The shiny droplets on the Yucca recurvifolia look almost frosty in the chilly mist.  A predicted freeze last week never arrived.  We have another freeze warning for Tuesday morning and it might happen this time so the tender plants are protected.





 Agave ovatifolia poses for a portrait.  It's grown so much I might need another strand of lights this December.


  

 It's a standout on gray days and a color echo for the roof.



Even without the freeze the Bismarck Palm (Bismarckia nobilis) has been struggling in the chilly weather.  Some changes may be coming to this bed in the spring.



Yucca 'Color Guard'


Yucca 'Margaritaville'


Agave 'Blue Glow'


Lindheimer's Senna foliage


Violet reflections on Tradescantia pallida or Purple Heart


Buffalo grass defies gravity by holding up huge numbers of droplets aligned along the leaves.


Variegated St. Augustine grass also holding up in the mist.



The weather has been awesome for Texas Bluebonnet seeds which are popping up by the hundreds.


Now if we can get the right weather through the winter it should be a good show in the spring.

That's the foliage report for November to see more check out the comments section of Digging.

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18 comments:

  1. MistiNovember 16, 2014 at 11:31 AM

    It seems early for a freeze this year, at least to me. We had a mild one the other day and it wasn't a major killing one but I did see the brugs and daturas were nipped a little. Feels like I didn't get to enjoy the garden much this year.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ShirleyNovember 16, 2014 at 12:11 PM

      It is early for a freeze and your comment about not having much time made me smile considering you had a baby and went back to work full time!

      Delete
  2. TinaNovember 16, 2014 at 11:42 AM

    Such beautiful photos, Shirley, with those drops of rain! I'm sorry that the Bismarck Palm is not doing well--that's a nice combination of plants. Maybe another palm which would give the same look? Anyway, all these choices are lovely for your garden in November.

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    Replies
    1. ShirleyNovember 16, 2014 at 12:13 PM

      A more hardy palm is under consideration or a tall yucca. The Bismarck Palm will probably stay but in a supporting role.

      Delete
  3. danger gardenNovember 16, 2014 at 1:00 PM

    It's amazing to me that our two cities are fairly close in avg rainfall totals (your 30" and our 36") and yet it comes in such different ways.

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    Replies
    1. ShirleyNovember 16, 2014 at 1:29 PM

      It is interesting and our typical winter lows are similar but you get them far more often.

      Delete
  4. Mark and GazNovember 16, 2014 at 1:14 PM

    You have so many beautiful plants but that Agave ovatifolia - absolutely stunning!

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    Replies
    1. ShirleyNovember 16, 2014 at 1:35 PM

      It has exceeded my already high expectations.

      Delete
  5. AlisonNovember 16, 2014 at 5:36 PM

    Even though I live in the Pacific Northwest, where rain, mist, and dew are omnipresent at this time of year, I would never ridicule you for trying to capture the beauty it brings to photos of plants. I love it. Great shots, Shirley!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Kris PetersonNovember 16, 2014 at 5:43 PM

    Water droplets on plants add a whole new dimension, as your photos demonstrate beautifully, Shirley. I was surprised to find that you get that much rain - I'm no longer clear what our "normal" level is but last year's total was less than 4 inches. I realize that capturing that rain for future use must be difficult, however, when it comes down in just a few deluges.

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    Replies
    1. ShirleyNovember 16, 2014 at 9:20 PM

      We do put out some rain barrels and the wheelbarrows but they fill up quickly then we use it all and wait for another rain. Whatever we do helps so we try.

      You have been short on rain for a while, I hope this winter breaks that pattern.

      Delete
  7. AnonymousNovember 16, 2014 at 11:19 PM

    I don't think it's odd you get photos of mist or water droplets on your plants, as it's much rarer out here than in SA! I'll have to search past posts to see how the Bismarckia did in your summer. The Agave ovatifolia color echo with your roof is incredible.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Pam/DiggingNovember 16, 2014 at 11:21 PM

    I've been enjoying these damp, misty days too, Shirley. It's like living in Portland, except we'll soon be back to 60 or 70F and sunny -- ha! What a bummer that the Bismarck is not doing well. But it looks like your Whale's Tongue has shrugged off the little bit of sunburn we saw on our visit. It's simply gorgeous, and I look forward to seeing it all decked out again this Xmas.

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  9. TexasDebNovember 17, 2014 at 10:05 AM

    I've always been a sucker for misted plants. Those water cooled colors never fail to please my eye.

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  10. rickiiNovember 17, 2014 at 1:26 PM

    We may be the rain capitol, but I never tire of photos of plants all spangled with droplets.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Heather/xericstyleNovember 17, 2014 at 3:58 PM

    Silver'licious!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Tatyana@MySecretGardenNovember 18, 2014 at 12:49 AM

    Your garden's foliage looks so exotic for me, Shirley! Agave .... my dream!

    ReplyDelete

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