Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Emerald Lace for May 2012 Foliage Follow-Up

For Foliage Follow-Up Sponsored by Pam Penick at Digging I'm featuring my favorite sweet potato vine (Ipomoea).  On the 16th of each month garden bloggers join Pam at Digging to follow up Garden Blogger's Bloom Day by illustrating the importance of foliage in our gardens.

The Illusion Emerald Lace sweet potato vine is a bright addition to my container garden.


I like the bright chartreuse color and the unique open pattern of the leaves.



I had seen a similar leaf pattern with the darker leaves, but not in this color until I spotted one in the blue adobe courtyard at The Antique Rose Emporium as seen here last year. 


Because of the deer problem in my yard, I do a lot of container gardening on the deck.  This way I can enjoy annuals that are also deer favorites.  I've mixed this Emerald Lace Potato Vine with 'Florida Sun' coleus, a bright polka dot plant (upper right), and pink firespike (middle).



Unlike most of my potato vine plants, 'Emerald Lace' did not make a tuber that I could winter over.  I've also found it doesn't propagate from cutting as easily as other types and I purchased a new one this spring so it will brighten up my deck all summer.

Join Pam at Digging to to see more Foliage Follow-up posts.

12 comments:

  1. Shirley! I love your blue masonry wall. Just wonderful! I am so found of blue and I would love something like that in my garden. SUPERB!!!

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    1. The blue wall is at The Antique Rose Emporium! It is a favorite place spot when I go there.

      I don't have a place for it in my garden. I do love blue in a garden though.

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  2. Great choice for Foliage Followup. Your plant looks healthy and happy. Isn't that always the way--the choicest varieties are the ones that don't propagate well?

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    1. I've thought the same, it must be the nature of special varieties. I've had the same problem with cane begonias. The prettiest ones are the most difficult.

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  3. Greeting from a fellow deer love/hater. I buy potato vines fresh each year also. This is definitely one to look for...probably in a real nursery rather than the big box stores where I usually pick up mine.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by Ricki. This one only seems to be available at special nurseries like The Antique Rose Emporium.

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  4. I love the potato vine....and it enjoys our heat! I also really like that blue wall of yours:)

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    1. The wall is actually at The Antique Rose Emporium. I intended show how good the vine looked and didn't realize the photo would be confusing when I wrote this post so I'll add a note.

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  5. Oh wow, that 'Emerald Lace' is a cool cultivar of the familiar sweet potato vine. I can see why you fell in love with it, especially as shown off in front of that cobalt walk at ARE.

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  6. Very pretty!
    I wonder if I can find one of those here.
    Happy Foliage Day!
    Lea
    Lea's Menagerie

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  7. That is a funky little plant - I really like the color most - so bright and cheery. Happy to hear your "pets" (deer) don't make it to your potted plants!!!!!

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  8. The Emerald Lace sweet potato vine is such a cool plant. I've always been afraid to plant it because it looks so delicate. After reading your post, I'm not afraid to add it to my garden.

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