Once again it is the 22nd of the month and time for Foliage Day hosted by Christina. Things are stirring in the garden apart from all the lovely little bulbs that are flowering at the moment. The foliage on shrubs is starting to burst forth as well as the foliage for bulbs that flower later in the year. This is a time of hope and the promise of things to come – weather permitting!
Lush bright green foliage of Hemerocallis is showing in most of the borders, such a lovely shade of green.
The first buds have burst open on the Philadelphus coronarius Aurea, showing promise of the wonderful perfume that will come in May/June.
Lovely spotted foliage of Pulmonaria longifolium which has such bright blue flowers.
The marbled leaves of Arum italicum marmoratum always look so elegant.
Ground cover of Cyclamen hederifolium, all thanks to the ants for spreading the seed.
Pulmonaria with almost all silver leaves.
Not to be out done, Cyclamen hederifolium also with almost all silver leaves.
Another month and these will be holding Fritillaria meleagris flowers – Snakeshead Fritillaries.
Variegated Euphorbia in a pot in the gravel area at the back.
Young Eucalyptus gunnii foliage looking ever so pretty.
Foliage on the alpine scree telling me that soon there will be lots of very bright blue flowers of Scilla siberica.
Foliage is also coming through on the scree of the tiny dwarf Iris that were newly planted last year. I’m always glad when plants show me that they have survived the winter.
New growth on all the Allium bulbs mean that May is going to be a colourful month.
Fresh Colchicum foliage marking the spot where there will be flowers in 6 months time!
And lastly, all the roses have started sprouting which means lots of colour and perfume through the summer.
So yes, fresh foliage now promises flowers, perfume and colour right through the year until the frosts start again in the autumn, no wonder it is so welcome in the garden in February!
Do pop over to Christina at My Hesperides Garden where we can enjoy foliage from around the world.
Beth Chatto is a great fan of Arum italicum marmoratum. I am re-reading her book on woodland gardening. Sounds like it is a must for me too.
Have you got your recipe ready for pheasant pie?
Beth Chatto’s book of woodland gardening was where I first heard of the arum Jessica. The birds have since spread it round the garden when they eat the berries in the autumn, they always seem to choose just the right place to put it! It will be ideal on your slope.
Shhhhh…I haven’t heard Mr P for some time now!
Perfect Pauline; I’m sorry I’m so late getting my post up. You chose just the right theme this month; foliage as the herald of future pleasure in the garden. Thank you for joining GBFD so consistently.
As I look at all the bulb foliage I can see the flowers and almost smell the perfume Christina, certainly a herald of the delights to come!
It’s marvellous to see so much new green growth again, your variegated euphorbia is beautiful Pauline. Does it do better in a pot?
I love to see all the new growth Kate, happy to know that so much has survived the winter in the wet soil that we have. This is the first winter for the Euphorbia, I have lost so many different ones, due I think, to winter wet, that I decided to put this one in a pot and see if it survives.
The cyclamen leaves really are very pretty and so kind of the ants to spread them around! I love the variegated euphorbia as well. I grew Euphorbia marginata ‘Icicle’ from seed but is didn’t survive the winter here unfortunately. There really is so much happening in your garden already Pauline.
The ants are doing such a good job Denise, but I don’t think they are around at the moment to spread the seed from Cyclamen coum, I’ll have to do it myself! Every day there seems to be something new, I really love this time of year.
So exhilerating to see the plants break out of dormancy and send forth fresh leaves. The Hemerocallis foliage looks good enough to eat.
It’s that time of year Jason when everything is waking up and starting to grow once more.Soon it will be the end of the dark, dull days and colour will be back in the garden. Hemerocallis flowers are edible so I wonder if the foliage is too, are you brave enough to try?