Chartreuse

Every few years garden trends change. One trend that has been a recent favorite is using the color chartreuse. I think I saw the trend start about 10 years ago maybe. I liked it then, and still like it. Chartreuse, unlike magenta is a color I can easily work with.

The above picture is of one of my foundation beds. I like the layered effect and the smooth flow of the plants. Can you see the chartreuse of the 'Firepower' nandina snaking its way through this bed? It is backed by Microphylla euonymous which sets off the colors of the nandina. This post is about the chartreuse though, and not the foundation beds so I will stick to the nandinas. I don't know why, but people tend to either hate or love nandinas. I like them. They are invaluable in the garden. Sure, you see them planted in commercial situations quite a bit, but there is a reason for that. They are low care, evergreen, provide year round interest and readily available for reasonable prices. What is wrong with those attributes? I really like the chartreuse in the spring and the fact these little nandinas stay compact and give good structure to the garden bed no matter the season.

When you look at the above picture of my 'Crabapple Garden' your eye is immediately drawn to the 'Goldmound' spirea. I love it. The greens are all supporting players. The spirea in this location draws attention to the bird bath without clashing with any of its neighbors. Always a good thing.

Here is a close up of the spirea foliage. I love the spireas. They are so easy to grow and so varied in their colors and textures. As a bonus, they give the gardeners flowers off and on all season long. I grow a few spireas and among them are: Van Houtteii spirea, Goldmound, Goldflame, Red Spirea, and Little Princess. I have frequently moved some spireas and find they adapt well. One shrub I moved wound up in three pieces. I didn't know you could divide spireas but this is exactly what happened. What a bonus!

This privet was a sale purchase last summer. It is 'Golden Vicary' privet. It is adaptable so far and has nice new foliage. The more sun it gets, the more brighter the chartreuse. It will be a stand out soon.

This variegated iris is a winner all the way around. I have also moved it several times and despite my abuse of it, it comes back faithfully every year. This year it has gifted me with two lilac purple blooms. I don't think irises should be grown just for the blooms, but they are sure nice bonuses. This iris is a standout and easy to grow. It is a keeper and I think I may have finally found it a home it and I can live with.

I believe the above cultivar of hosta is 'American Dream'. It is a dream in that it is a uniform colored chartreuse hosta. It lights up a shady garden nicely.

The above heuchera is aptly named 'Key Lime Pie'. The color just kind of makes you want to take a bite doesn't it? It is another brightly colored chartreuse plant in the garden.

Chartreuse in the garden is a show off. It definitely stands out, and stands out proudly. My garden being fairly shady (Yahoo!) needs a bit of the sun and brightness. Maybe that is why I am drawn to chartreuse so much, but I love it. Do you like this trend too?

in the garden....