Rather than buying refugee plants in a myriad of colors, I actually have a PLAN for this year's cottage garden.
The foundation colors will be lavender, blue, and purple along with silver and gray foliage plants making up the bulk of the foliage.
I REALLY like these combinations and plan to use them throughout the cottage area.
At times Mother Nature smiles and provides both the lavender and the silver foliage on the same plant. This is one of the few lavender plants that can withstand Houston's high humidity. I would gladly buy more if I could find them. And the foliage smells delightful.
Buddleia is another great plant. This variety has some gray green foliage. It does not usually grow well here, but this one doesn't know it's in Houston.
This is Blue Hill Salvia and it will definitely be welcomed back.
I am finding that the Salvias are a world unto themselves and that there are actually Salvia websites and collectors. I can see why, judging from the couple that I've grown. They are delightful!
Ruellias grow wild here and pop up in odd places. Isn't it nice when your weeds are the right color? LOL
Blue Daze loves heat more than most flowers and can even grow amidst rocks. They do great here in the South.
There's that silver Lavender with a lime green coleus. The delicate light blues of a plumbago are in the foreground.
I'm dropping the reds this year, but using yellows as an accent color. More on that later.
This an older variety of lime green coleus that can take a bit of sun. It contrasts nicely with dark greens and blue flowers.
I have always enjoyed coleus even as a kid back in the 70s!
Finally, I must rave about Lantana 'Fruity Pebbles'.
Just get it for the name!
It's an upright Lantana and the stems are not as scratchy as our native L. horrida.
I use it as a background plant.
Well, that's it for today. I'll show you some of the yellow and gold flowers next time.
Happy Growing!
David/:0)
Our native horsemint (Monarda) will also be back if it reseeds!
