Cyclamen hederifolium
Despite being December and the start of winter there is still a lot of foliage interest in the garden and hopefully most of it will remain now all winter.
I love Cyclamen and more so for the vast differences in the patterns on the leaves than the flowers which seem very similar to me. The patterns and variation on the leaves can differ dramatically within each species. The one above, Cyclamen hederifolium, is a new acquisition and has blush pink flowers although there are not many of them in evidence at the moment.
Melianthus major
Melianthus major continues to shine in the Big Border. I love its serrated leaves especially when it has rain and the raindrops are caught like jewels along the leaf rib.
Saxifraga ‘Silver Velvet’
I do like the way the leaves on the Saxifraga ‘Silver Velvet’ are turning. The deep burgundy is slowly bleaching from the outside to a bright pink. This is the first winter this plant has been in the border so I have my fingers crossed that it will survive.
Ajuga reptans
Another dark leaved perennial that looks good all winter is Ajuga reptans. It is especially good with the bright fresh shoots of bulbs pushing up alongside it. I have only ever seen this form of Ajuga but I have recently been reading Marjery Fish and she mentioned some other varieties which I shall have to investigate.
Finally there are the Epimediums which I seem to be acquiring quite a few of. There are the evergreen ones such as above – I can’t remember the name of this one and it is now too dark to go and look at the label. Then there are the deciduous ones like below, Epimedium ogisui, whose leaves turn as they fade and I really like the added interest they bring to the border. I think we are so busy looking at the Autumn foliage of shrubs and trees that we forget to look down at the perennials.
Epimedium ogisui
I hope you enjoyed my wintery foliage but if you would like some warmer offerings pop over to Pam’s blog Digging where you will find links to many other posts with some from warmer climes.
