Textures of a Patchwork Quilt

Happy Birthday to Brian! And Mikie!

I have posted about textures before and will continue to post about textures. Textures are a constant consideration when planning gardens for me because you almost always have the constant of textures, whereas color and blooms will not be constant. Form is the only other landscaping principle I focus on when planning gardens, but I don't think form is half as exciting as textures.

Textures come into play not only in the garden, but in our homes. How many people out there think luxury when they think of satin sheets? Now add a nice plush carpet underfoot and a filmy mosquito net around the bed and you have an awesome combination of textures that evoke a romantic feel when one looks at it. The same can be said of textures in the garden. You will get a feeling of something substantial and significant when you effectively blend textures in the garden.

Sometimes the plant alone can provide tremendous texture. This parsley plant is very textural and when you look at it you might think it is frilly and finely cut and a bit lacy. In truth it is not, but when you combine this parsley with something like a canna; which has broad coarse leaves, the parsley will become something entirely different.

Texture is to me how a plant may feel when you look at it. The sedum in the first picture looks strong and sturdy, yet it's many leaves give the impression it might be cushiony and bouncy; which it is. The iris leaves are straight and spiky. They make a very fine impression in any garden and are a staple in mine not only for the flowers, but for the texture of the leaves and the form. When you combine the texture of sedum with the iris you get a patchwork like effect that is comforting. The garden is all green and filled in, and the varying textures ensures it is not boring!

Daylillies and lamb ears are two more staples of my garden. These easy to grow and care for perennials ask for practically nothing in return for all season texture and filler duties. As a bonus, both plants flower prolifically. Watch out for the lambs ear though as it does self seed itself around, unbeknownst to me when I first began gardening. Here these two are paired with my one and only Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Nana Gracilis'. I love this genus of woody evergreen shrubs but have not had much luck with it. Hence, my one and only. This particular cultivar should stay small and grows slowly. Perhaps that is why I am a bit disappointed with it as it seems like it doesn't grow at all! But it does have good texture and great color. The combination of its dark fine foliage paired with the lambs ear gives a good contrast in the garden.

Lambs ear is soft and fuzzy, as evidenced by the white hairs all along the leaves. I often insist children touch the lambs ears for a learning experience. It really does feel like ears! Not sure about lamb's ears because I can't say I have felt them, but my dog's ears are soft and furry like the lamb's ear plant. Here it is combined with 'Drumstick' alliums, aka Allium sphaerocephalum. The alliums hold their own against the evergreen lambs ears and seem to do well here. The textures are very contrasting. When the drumstick alliums bloom the purple color above the gray/silver of the lamb's ear will be an added bonus.

I wish I could say I completely and thoughtfully plan my gardens for contrast, but I can't. Most of the time the contrasting textures and colors are by accident. Nice accidents indeed, but there are the contrasts that don't work well either. Some that come to mind might be spireas next to beautyberries. Since both shrubs have small leaves the effect of the individual plants would be lost without a complementary and contrasting plant close by. Textures are important to a garden and taking the time to plan for them can be fun! Just like snuggling under a good soft patchwork quilt on a cold and rainy day.

in the garden....