With the 4th of July fast approaching, Team Fine Foliage is dealing with a 100 year, record-setting heat wave here in our typically mild northwest climate (as I sit in front of the AC writing this post). We have surpassed records made in past hot July and August months so far and there seems to be no end in sight. Most of our time when not working on the NEW BOOK “Foliage First”, has been holding a hose or setting up sprinklers.
Karen Chapman’s explosion of fireworks Brit style. 🙂
Since the vast majority of us can’t let off fireworks here due to the heat advisory and one half of Team Fine Foliage is British anyway, we can get crazy HERE! 🙂 I thought it was a good time to bring you foliage ideas that are both high energy color and high impact forms. Some spiky shapes that mimic fireworks are interesting and maybe they will give your imagination some ammunition to add some explosive foliage interest to YOUR landscape.
An Acalypha that I snapped in Disney World, BOLD!!
Red Castor Bean is a showstopper, but can be a bit hard to find. Those giant red leaves are about 2ft. across.
I could have stuck with the good old red, white and blue for this post, but I came across SO many other fun bits of color and detail for you that I gave up on that theme. But, there is always this one that you could do in a cobalt blue pot with red and white New Guinea Impatiens right? Someone make that combo and post it for us on the Fine Foliage page!
Drama with Caladium, never fails!
Red Mandevilla, red Rex begonia and a red sphere, now THAT is some color for a partially shady nook!
Another unique Acalypha harmonizing with orange, bronze and the lavender toned Asters.
Impatiens ‘Omeiana’ is ALMOST like fireworks in the shade garden!
A reddish Bromeliad in a patriotic blue pot makes a statement!
Canna makes a wonderful backdrop for airy Gamma Grass like little sparks shooting up from the pot!
Now THIS is a fireworks display!!
There are always blue foliage plants (for the good old Red, White and Blue) that are dramatic and stunning around, sometimes you just have to think out of the box a bit. 🙂
‘Silver Swan’ Euphorbia with ‘Quicksilver’ Hebe.
Melianthus
White foliage can be white HOT in sun or in shade!
‘Spider Web’ Fatsia
Creamy off-white foliage from variegated Cordyline is plenty classy on its own in a container.
Garden Art, soft Mexican feather grass and one lone canna leaf glowing like a burning ember make for an unexpectedly electric combo of form and colors.
HOLY COW Yankee Doodle look at that BIG BOLD showy foliage in white?
Look at that, it’s time for me to go out and water the landscape, we should talk succulents next time. 🙂
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Lovely post ,but off the subject can you tell me where the purple pots came from?
Hi Glenda,
Thank you! I think that this must be one of those color/trick of the light things, because none of those pots are purple. 🙂 Are you referring to the waffle textured ones? They are actually a metallic gunmetal grey. But, I can see how you can see them as purple. If it’s not those, be sure to let me know which ones you mean and I’ll see if I can help you out.
Gorgeous! Gorgeous! Gorgeous! Looking forward to succulents. Thanks for all this beauty and inspiration.
Thank you Miz Mol! ❤
I have a clump of the ‘Silver Swan’ Euphorbia. I want more. Can I divide it, or is it best to take cuttings?
Hi Deirdre,
Those particular type of euphorbia don’t divide very well at all. I wish they did. I wish I could give you a better option than just going and buying more, but I’m not quite sure what to tell you. Its fleshy stems can rot so easily.