Garden Bloggers’ Foliage Day – April 2017

It is very much spring now. We have had the snowdrops, aconites and many other early spring bulbs. The tulips have been and still are splendid but some are beginning to fade. We have had some very warm days and the new foliage is bursting out everywhere and its sensational. Everywhere you go at this stage in the growing year fresh leaves are opening up giving clean fresh colours after the dormant buds of winter. This blog is looking at some of the foliage currently in Glebe House Garden.

This is Philadelphus coronarius Aureus which has changed in a couple of weeks from a bundle of dry looking sticks to a golden display.

Ferns are unfolding leaves in their spectacular way. Unless you look every day you will miss the leaves as they unfold.

Rosa omeiensis pteracantha

Rosa Irene Watts

Rosa Pink Gruss an Aachen

New rose leaves often give strong coloured displays. Here are three roses in very different stages of development. Rosa omeiensis pteracantha had grown to about seven metres high and had out grown its space. We cut it right down to ground level last autumn and are now being rewarded by some beautiful new shoots. Rosa Irene Watts was rejuvenated a year ago February when it was also cut down to within a couple of centimetres of the ground. Last year it started new growth which was pruned to shape in the winter and now is looking very healthy. Rosa Pink Gruss an Aachen is a new rose that has been planted next to the water feature by the main lawn. Some of the smaller plants are also putting on a spring display. Euphorbia myrsinites is technically in flower but the effect is a foliage delight.And similarly Euphorbia griffithii Dixter is in flower but look at the leaves which are green stained with red giving a huge pallet of colour.

I blogged about this pleached lime hedge.  It is now coming into leaf.This cardoon Cynara cardunculus has come from nowhere in a week!

Hostas are coming up everywhere if the slugs and snails will let them. To avoid too much damage to the leaves you need to control the slugs and snails before the leaves come out so it is worth trying to remember where you have Hostas planted.Fatsia japonica never really loses its leaves but in spring the new growth is refreshing and very architectural.

Itea ilicifolia only drops a few leaves in the winter and these pictures show the quality of foliage that has come through the winter. Aruncus dioicus is an herbaceous plant that is cut down in the winter and is now coming back quickly for a summer display.These Betula ermanii were planted a few years ago in groups of three which will eventually grow together. When they were planted the bark was a bronze brown colour but as they grow they are developing a warm silver bark. These have been jet washed to maximise their colour.

Ilex aquifolium Ferox Argentea – Hedgehog Holly

Ilex aquifolium Ferox Argentea – Hedgehog Holly

Daphne Mae-Jima

Variegated foliage is always worth thinking about when planting shrubs

Corylus maxima Purpurea (Purple Hazel)

Sambucus nigra Lace Lady

and dark foliage should also be considered.

Cornus alternifolia Argentea eventually should grow into a reasonable sized tree. For some reason it has been very slow to get going but the structure and leaves are very nice.Another flash of gold from Sambucus racemosa Sutherland Gold 

Do have a look at Christina of My Hesperides Garden where she encourages us to look at the foliage in our garden rather than focusing on the flowers on the 22nd of each month. You will find links to other participating gardens there. Thank you Christina for hosting this meme.

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