Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Blooms Among the Foliage

I've been a little distracted the last few days with planning a little DIY project for my backyard (more on that later), so I missed Garden Bloggers Bloom Day on the 15th and Foliage Follow-Up on the 16th.  I did manage to take a few pictures of what's blooming among some fabulous foliage, so I thought I'd share them with you...just a little late.

As I showed you in my Bare Bones post, there's not a lot blooming in my perennial or shrub beds, but I use containers for adding color in the winter.

A pot of cyclamen, oxalis, ivy, and sedum sits by my back door which is a shady spot where pansies would not do well, and it's close by in case I need to give it a little extra protection on the chance our temps dip into the low 20s or teens.


 Pansies and kale are really foolproof 
and can take just about anything our Texas winters dish out.  

Pansies are not pansies!


Here's a grouping in a side planting topiary.


I also mix curly parsley in with pansies for added texture 
and bright green color.


A new pansy companion in my containers is bok choy.   I am not sure how it would do if it got down into the low 20s or teens, but in the high 20s and low 30s, it has done great.  I hope to use more of this next year.


Oh, no!  It looks like I've got a worm on my bok choy!  

 I got this cute little rock caterpillar for Christmas :-)

In the veggie garden I've got some cabbage that is beautiful, but it is extremely slow growing.


And here's my broccoli.  I am so proud of this broccoli.  I know it is small, but this is the first time I have actually been able to grow broccoli that is even remotely respectable.   I tend to grow mini veggies.   In fact, my grandson was at a salad bar one time, and they had some of that baby corn (you know the corn you see in Asian food?), and he said, "Hey, it's Mimi corn!" 


Here are a few little side broccoli shoots.  
Once I cut the main head off, I expect these little side shoots will grow too.


And one new perennial in my backyard shade bed caught my attention this month.   This is Heuchera 'Southern Comfort.'   I just love the coppery shades of the leaves.  I have not had huge success with heucheras in the past, but I couldn't resist this one at the nursery last spring.  But, hey, it survived our brutal summer last year, so in my book, it's already a winner!


 I hope you've enjoyed my January blooms and foliage.

If you're running a little behind this month, too, and haven't had a chance to check out Garden Bloggers Bloom Day, click here.  And for some other great gardens of foliage, click here.

As I mentioned at the start, I can't wait to show you the DIY project I've been working on (planning and dreaming, planning and dreaming).   I got some inspiration online, drew out a plan, took all the measurements (10 times!), got the lumber cut today, we've got all the screws, and the drill is charging as we speak.  Tomorrow, Lord willing, is the day.     If this thing turns out like the one I've got pictured in my mind, I will be so excited!     I can't wait to show you.

Stay tuned...

Toni :-)

13 comments:

  1. Toni,

    I love the combinations of kales and flowers. Lovely colors.

    Yael

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    1. Yael, thank you so much for visiting! I appreciate your kind comment :-)

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  2. Lovely blooms and foliage! I can't wait to see what you've got in mind for your project! Larry

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    1. Thanks for visiting, Larry. The DIY project is just about complete. Waiting on one decorative piece to be shipped, so I won't unveil it until its time :-)

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  3. I love seeing beautiful and tasty vegetables for Foliage Follow-Up. Yummy!

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    1. Thanks, Pam. I just wish those tasty veggies would GROW!

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  4. Toni, I love all of the cool season annuals. Yours look great! You have really sparked my curiosity about the new project. I’ll definitely be back to check it out.

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    1. Hi Lucy! Yes, please do come back to see the finished product. We are almost done. It turned out GREAT, just like I envisioned in my mind. I love it when that happens. I am sure you know what I mean, because you have your front garden envisioned in your mind as you are working on the renovation. I hope it turns out as beautiful as you "see" it already in your mind :-)

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  5. I look forward to hearing about your project! Loved seeing your pots. And your broccoli! I'm jealous. I have planted broccoli, but for some reason it doesn't seem to like me. :(

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    1. I'll post about the project as soon as the last decorative piece comes in the mail. I am SO EXCITED to show everyone. I almost cannot believe my husband and I built this ourselves. It turned out amazing! Oh, yes, broccoli. In years past, it was either eaten to smithereens by worms or I kept waiting for the broccoli head to grow and the next thing I know it bolted. I will grow more of it next year in the fall (seems easier than in the spring). I am also redoing my square foot garden -- that's DIY project #2, not quite as exciting as project #1, but it will give me a little more space to grow veggies.

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  6. OK, you've convinced me that Texas is a better place to be in winter! See, now that I've had my taste of winter I'm ready to get OUT of it! Your Pansies look so lush and huge! I'm completely jealous! :)

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  7. Beautiful post...and I agree...Pansies are TOUGH!

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  8. Lovely blooms and foliage - love the kale!! I hope you will take part in our Harvest Day meme on 5 Feb with your lovely brocolli and cabbage :) Looking forward to seeing your new project!

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