As far as foliage goes, gardens can wear fancy, red carpet worthy gowns all year long. Pam at Digging wants us to showcase the prettiest wardrobes in our gardens right after the flowers get their turn in the spotlight. Yucca gloriosa ‘Variegata’ is a star all year, but especially in the quiet time of winter.
Yuccas have an architectural integrity that complements the grey stone of the Tennessee mountains. A paved area that never gets watered, is sunny in summer but shaded in winter, is home to the blue pot collection. Each pot is planted with Yucca filamentosa ‘Golden Sword’. The strawberry jar also sports some Sedum ‘Angelina’.
A mixture of Scotch moss, Sagina subulata ‘Aurea’ and naturally occuring moss carpets the gentle slope behind the gravel zen garden. This provides the freshest green and gold of the entire garden, so welcome on a winter’s day.
More of the same mix of true and so-named mosses decorate the risers of these stone steps to the upper levels of the Fairegarden, flanked by lamb’s ear and various Dianthus ssp. in silver tones. It seems the true moss is crowding out the human planted. So be it.
Growing in between the stacked eighty pound cement blocks that make up the long wall behind the main house, Helleborus orientalis babies are heroically attemping to grow. I wonder if they can reach blooming size and thrive there? A good experiment. Note the even more moss on the block face, too. We are awash in moss, especially in such a wet winter as we are experiencing this year.
Lamb’s ear and purple sage, Stachys byzantina and Salvia officinalis ‘Purpurascens’ look like fraternal twins in the gravel garden.
Geranium x cantabrigiense ‘Biokovo’, also in the gravel garden has foliage that turns to glowing reds, pinks and oranges during the cold months to brighten and cheer.
Winter daphne, Daphne odora ‘Aureamarginata’, is so beautiful and fragrant that it got its own post written last year. Click here to read it. The bud count is promising for a fine showing in 2012, as well.
Calluna vulgaris ‘Firefly’ is looking more full and compact after the first time ever clipping was done last year. The same beauty shop treatment will be done soon, as we like the way it looks now much better that the straggly appearance before. The red color of winter that gradually goes through stages of coral and pink while turning back to yellow/gold for the warmer months make this the favorite heather we grow…
..But don’t tell Calluna vulgaris ‘Multicolor’ about that preference. We do love all of the plants growing here.
The self sown Heuchera volunteer, now named H. ‘Faire Piecrust, has grown large enough that one offset has been seperated and potted up. At this rate of reproduction, there will be no million dollar contracts for the rights. I can live with that.
Frances
Fairegarden 
Your beautiful vibrant pots show off a different definition for the winter blues. I feel more energized just looking at their picture.
My foliage has re-emerged from the snow and there must be something interesting out there but I am going to content myself with your beauties.
Your wardrobe of winter greens is quite beautiful. I especially like the moss.
From drought-tolerant yuccas to moisture loving moss to the thrilling winter foliage of heathers, your garden has got it going on, Frances. Thanks for participating in Foliage Follow-Up!
Very nice! Your mosses are looking very happy!
That heather is beautiful. I grew heather years ago and didn’t have much luck with it, maybe I should look at some of the newer ones.
Eileen
would that first plant be a variegated agave. it sure looks like my. mine is close to 4′ tall and 3′ around. last summer it had 8 pups. i live in minnesota so it goes on vacation indoors during the winter months (it’s minus 3 here right now 🙂 beautiful plants!
Whenever I forget how bleak winter appears through the house windows, I only have to walk outside and look closely at all the beauty that awaits. Your lamb’s ears look like mine–frozen in place.