Wednesday, July 8, 2015

Wednesday Vignette: Serendipity

For the last two months, the bright yellow of Hemerocallis 'For Pete's Sake' has drawn my eye every time I passed by or through the dry garden on the northwest side of our property.  However, since I cut the last bloom scape about a week ago, a more subtle vignette has grabbed both my attention and that of recent visitors to my garden.

Osteospermum 'Summertime Sweet Kardinal' and Leucadendron 'Ebony'


When I planted Leucadendron 'Ebony' in the dry garden in 2013, I was more concerned with getting the soil, water and sun conditions right than with color combinations.  I situated it near Leucadendron salignum 'Chief' because they have similar needs.  Geranium incanum, a weed here, planted itself nearby but the deep purple Osteospermum 'Summertime Sweet Kardinal' shown in the photo above was added in January.  At the time, my purpose was to embellish the existing clumps of O. 'Serenity Purple' - the way 'Summertime Sweet Kardinal' played off of 'Ebony' was pure serendipity.  The newer Osteospermum is more vivid than 'Serenity Purple' and has a plum-red cast that I think looks beautiful next to the burgundy-black of 'Ebony'.

Mid-range photo of the same area

A broader view
  
This is my contribution to Anna's Wednesday Vignette at Flutter & Hum.  Visit her to see what images she's conjured up to capture your imagination this week.  You'll also find links to images that grabbed the attention of other gardeners.


All material © 2012-2015 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
at

19 comments:

  1. AlisonJuly 8, 2015 at 8:35 AM

    Oh yes! That Osteospermum looks perfect next to the Ebony Leucadendron. I didn't plant any Osteospermum this year in my garden. I love them, but I ran out of room.

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    1. Kris PetersonJuly 8, 2015 at 4:44 PM

      It may be for the best given the heat you're getting this summer, Alison. I find my Osteospermum prefer cool temperatures, tending to hunker down and cease blooming when the mercury climbs. This grouping gets some shade, which seems to have boosted its bloom power while other Osteospermum in full sun have shut down.

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  2. rusty duckJuly 8, 2015 at 9:39 AM

    That looks great, especially with the yellow/greens all around them.

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  3. Mark and GazJuly 8, 2015 at 10:26 AM

    Beautiful rich colour on both of them, but that Ebony is just wow!

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    1. Kris PetersonJuly 8, 2015 at 4:47 PM

      That Leucadendron was a wonderful find. 'Ebony' generally costs a fortune in the local garden centers but this one was mislabeled as 'Safari Sunset'. As I recall, 'Ebony' is a mutation of 'Safari Sunset', hence the error in labeling.

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  4. GinaJuly 8, 2015 at 10:39 AM

    I love the dark purples against the bright greens, really catches the eye. As a collector of statues for the garden I love your hare

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    1. Kris PetersonJuly 8, 2015 at 4:48 PM

      I love that hare, Gina. I've had him for many years - he moved from my former garden with me.

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  5. AnonymousJuly 8, 2015 at 1:35 PM

    That is a lovely vignette. I like the way the Osteospermum works with the Leucadendron, but it all works really well against the yellow/greens of the shrubs in the background.

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    1. Kris PetersonJuly 8, 2015 at 4:49 PM

      I'm happy with the way it came together, Matt - intentional or not.

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  6. Anna KJuly 8, 2015 at 3:19 PM

    Kris - that is absolute perfection! I lust for all those cool Leucadendrons you photograph so well. I guess if there is anything good coming out of a changing climate, it is that we might be able to grow them up here in Oregon. That Ebony is at the top of the list! :)

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    1. Kris PetersonJuly 8, 2015 at 4:52 PM

      Many of my favorite plants are Leucadendron, Anna. While I hope you find some that work for you, I also hope that your current spate of hot weather doesn't become a recurring nightmare.

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  7. AnonymousJuly 8, 2015 at 9:33 PM

    What a lovely combination the Osteospermum and Ebony Leucadendron are together. I like the idea of this meme and must try to remember to join in sometimes.

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    1. Kris PetersonJuly 9, 2015 at 1:43 PM

      I'm sure there is no end to the beautiful vignettes you can find in your garden, Christina.

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  8. TexasDebJuly 9, 2015 at 5:58 AM

    Serendipity indeed! Those accidental color tone poems in the garden are the best. I am really loving the color combinations - I'd be standing, staring and admiring as long as those blooms kept reporting for duty.

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    1. Kris PetersonJuly 9, 2015 at 1:46 PM

      I keep hoping my whole garden will come together as a tonal poem (or even a collection of poems), Deb, without my having to second guess combinations in advance.

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  9. DeniseJuly 9, 2015 at 8:03 AM

    That is a fine color on that osteosp. The color ranges on these daisies is amazing. I found one that's the deep burgundy of chocolate cosmos. I'm going to take cuttings just in case the nurseries don't carry it next year.

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    1. Kris PetersonJuly 9, 2015 at 1:52 PM

      I initially thought this one was just another 'Serenity Purple' until I brought it home and saw the color next to the purple ones I already had - it makes the others look faded. A lot of the Osteospermum self-seed for me and most last at least a couple of years, although the flowers are smaller on the older plants.

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  10. Evan BeanJuly 10, 2015 at 9:39 AM

    Perfect combo! I've always loved that Leucodendron 'Ebony', but the Osteospermum makes a stunning pairing. I wish both were hardy here.

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