textures and patterns

I'm extremely attracted to texture and pattern in plants; dare I say moreso than flowers. When I got home from work today I couldn't help but marvel at some of my plants. It rained this afternoon, so it was nice and cloudy. Water droplets were suspended on the leaves of many of my plants and it was so inspiring, I just couldn't help myself from taking pictures.

This is Begonia 'Fireworks', my absolute fave. I'm a big fan of fireworks and the pattern on this leaf is just so amazing. I love how the black centers radiate out to silver, then purple at the edge. It's an iridescent leaf, which I wish could be properly captured in the image, but I just couldn't get it.

I've found that my tastes in garden design have gravitated toward liking gardens with greater textural differences versus color. The Silver Garden at Longwood Gardens achieves just that, and has always been a source of inspiration for me with it's display of dessert and Mediterranean plants. Though of one common color pallette, it's the varying textures that make the design of the garden.

Another noteworthy texture garden at Longwood is the Fern Passage. It is so cool and green, and perfectly lustful and airy feeling. And there's that real earthy smell that evokes the perfect reaction of being in the tropics. I just love it!

Patterns play an important role for me too. One of the best caladiums I've grown is 'Red Flash', and it's more than just an elephant-ear shaped leaf with red color. There's a distinct edge of green and inside the red center are large freckles of silver.

Manihot esculenta 'Variegata' was such a great find for me many, many years ago. And the color patterns on this leaf are out of this world. The pattern of greens and yellows are more pronounced when grown in full sun. Using it in a container is best because I like to bring mine in the house for winter, and it doesn't transplant well, so I usually do pot in pot.