Each month at this time Christina of ‘Creating my own Garden of the Hesperides‘ leads off on a meme which asks us to look past flowers and consider the important contributions foliage makes in the garden. I’ve been lax so far this summer but was determined not to miss out again this month so here’s my small contribution.
Last week before we went away I took a few photos of the front border and this section really seems to have come together. The bright leaves of the willow ‘golden sunshine’ are nicely set off by the darker green euonymus behind and complement the gold of (what else) more rudbeckia!
‘Golden sunshine’ willow and gloriosa daisies brightening up the agastache, ‘Karley Rose’ fountain grass, and unknown eryngium.
Not much of a contribution I understand, but the willow is carefree and really brings this corner to life. Hard to imagine just a few weeks ago the rabbits had nibbled it down to just a few inches but this was probably for the best since like most willows it’s a fast grower and I probably would have done it myself just to keep the plant from becoming a huge shrub or tree!
Go ahead and visit a few of the other bloggers who are joining Christina this week. It’s always fun seeing foliage from around the world and I’m sure you’ll find many a ‘meatier’ post as well !
sorta like suburbia 
That willow really does sparkle and shine! Quite the foliage “bling”. 🙂
Weird that in person I’m a beige kinda guy, but for plants I go kinda Carmen Miranda, the brighter the better!
Oh, that’s beautiful. How tall will your willow get if the rabbits leave it alone?
I saw a max of 20 feet, but don’t think I’ll let it get anywhere close to that. 20 feet will be much too large, and willows do not age gracefully, so I’ll rely on the rabbits to keep it young!
The willow certainly is stunning – it looks great against the agastache!
Thanks Matt, as usual most of the combination was pure luck 🙂
So pretty! I like your composition 😉
Thank you! Amazing how nice a combination dumb luck will bring 🙂
It might be a short post, Frank but it clearly demonstrates what I mean about foliage – that yes, its the flowers our eyes go to , but without the support of good foliage the scene wouldn’t be as satisfying. Hope you’re having a good holiday..
So far so good on the holiday 🙂
I was imagining the planting without the brightness and mass of the willow foliage and it really just wouldn’t be the same. I feel like the willow bulks it up nicely and keeps it all from just becoming a mess. I should take this lead in other parts if the garden and get some more background and bulk instead of too many busy flowers….
but then again the variety and flowers are what make me smile right now. Maybe some day I’ll grow into good design 🙂
Love your golden willow, I think the rabbits knew that it needed cutting back, they did a good job!
This might be the first time I’ll admit the bunnies did a good job!
What a lovely picture you have created and I agree the willow sets it off beautifully along with the Pennisetum on the right. Beautiful!
I do like the pennisetum as well. It can be a floppy mess at times and melts with the first frost, but from now until then it just lightens up and dances across the bed!
A gorgeous combination of foliage colours and textures. I especially love the grass peeping in from the left.
Thanks Annette, I’m glad you commented, for some reason I lost your blog from my reader and just assumed you were having some quiet time!
I also like the grass in the picture… But then again I have a weakness for that whole family 🙂
WordPress does that far too often. It sometimes takes me a while but I eventually realise that I haven’t heard from people and thankfully they are still in the list of blogs I follow.
A willow with wow factor. Without a doubt.
Willow always seems kind of dull, what a surprise when one becomes a show off!
I think it looks great! It has a fun, carefree summery look to it. I like it!
Thanks! Most of my garden takes on that carefree summer look once temperatures rise and the pool and trips come calling 🙂
I really like that willow. Is it an aggressive spreader, and is that the mature size?
This one has been in place for three years and has vigor but the annual trim back keeps it well within bounds. I think it would reach about 10 or so feet if I just let it go for a few years.
The willow really does brighten up that space and partners well with the summery blooms. The grass makes a nice statement too.
Foliage, foliage, foliage, right? 🙂