Double-take plants
Ka-pow! How did I resist the charms of a hot-orange canna for so long? I’ve never gone for the tropical look in my gardens, preferring natives and exotic desert or Mediterranean plants. But there’s something about cannas and swimming pools that just seems right, so I went down to Barton Springs Nursery and picked out a canna labeled ‘Orange Crush.’ Is it worth a second look?
Absolutely! I am in love with these bright orange-and-yellow blossoms that glow like flame in the afternoon sun. Set against so many evergreen plants on the west side of my garden, the color really pops.
Like the canna, Mexican flame vine lives up to its name with a hot-orange flower. But that’s not what earned it a double-take yesterday. Rather, a couple of puff-ball seedheads caught my eye. White, fluffy spheres almost begged to be blown apart like a dandelion seedhead.
Instead I leaned in for a second look and was entranced.
The setting sun that lights up the canna blossoms also does a number on my variegated American agave. From behind, those yellow stripes seem to glow from within.
Looking more closely, the alternating stripes of bright yellow and dark green make an abstract work of art, punctuated by blood-red teeth along the agave’s leaves. Yowsa—that’s one fascinating plant.
So which plants in your garden are causing you to do a double-take?
All material © 2006-2010 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
Those seed heads are interesting. In the close up it appears that there are some fairy trumpets in the left lower corner.
They do appear to be tiny trumpets, don’t they? —Pam
I like those southeastern-southwestern combos you can do there! An advantage of your climate, for sure.
Yes, Austin is where southeast meets southwest in the garden. Different water requirements, of course, which is why I tend to stay away from the thirstier tropicals. But cannas are pretty tough, and I can easily give it a little extra water. —Pam
LOVE the canna, Pam. I don’t have any, and haven’t for years, but I’m seeing some newer cultivars that are causing MY head to turn. I like their foliage as much-or even more than–their flowers.
Headturners in my garden–the surprises. I discovered yesterday that a clump of camassia had survived and was blooming. It was given to me several years ago and (ahem) I had forgotten where I had planted it and thought it was part of a clump of variegated carex right beside it. The purple-blue flowers are marvelous. The other treat right now is the dodecatheon (shooting star, a spring ephemeral here) which isn’t the biggest plant in the garden but sure makes a statement when it blooms. They all make me happy.
Your surprises sound delightful, Jodi. I’m glad you’re getting some double-takes in your garden too. —Pam
Have you checked out the TropicCanna? Even its foliage is orange! I love mine…
http://www.flickr.com/photos/starjewel/3392576057/in/set-72157617525097107/
I haven’t seen that one before, Kimberly, but you’re right, it’s gorgeous. —Pam
Beautiful. You have such a gift for seeing the best in plants.~~Dee
Aww, thanks, Dee! —Pam
I definitely have a crush on your canna! And I love the backlit agave photos. As thick as those leaves always are, it seems like you wouldn’t be able to see any light through them. But WOW!
It surprises me too, Kim, that the fleshy agave leaves would light up that way. But they do! —Pam
I’m with you on the Canna, and this year my Desert Rose is just profuse with blooms!
I saw your beautiful desert rose on your blog, Cheryl. It’s stunning. —Pam
I love that canna! I am not much of a tropical person myself, but I’ve tried cannas against our “pool.” Sad to say, in my case, not enough sun or good drainage to support the glory. So I’ll treasure yours instead. Definitely, it’s worth a double take.
I’m not sure mine will get enough sun either, Linda. It gets a blast of afternoon sun and otherwise just a little dappled sun. We shall see. —Pam