When the heat gets subtropical
(...and the talk gets so topical*)
The caladiums are happy in today's humid heat. I used to think that I didn't like caladiums. I'd seen them in too many desultory container plantings, where it seems that they could be swapped out with a fake fabric floral counterpart with no one the wiser. But a bargain-bin bag of a a dozen tubers came our way this spring, which I tucked in here and there in the north-facing shady garden. The spaethes are unfurling gracefully, some with a faint tinge of pink, and complement the minichromatic greens and white of this bed nicely. They might convincingly pretend to be a long-lost distant cousin of 'Jack Frost' brunnera, or of 'Beacon Silver' lamium.
*Gratuitous reference to a pair of lyrics from Elvis Costello's "Riot Act", on the occasion of hearing that he'll be opening for Sting [updated: The Police] in Milwaukee next week [updated: today (July 25)...and through serendipitous happenstance, I'll be in the audience].
I often find that the best way to turn dislike into admiration is to actually grow a plant. Maybe it's something about watching the plant grow instead of just seeing it as a static part of a garden design.
Posted by: mss @ Zanthan Gardens | July 17, 2008 at 06:57 AM
Fabulous picture. You have inspired me to look into whether caladiums would work in our garden.
Posted by: Spotty Boxes | July 18, 2008 at 07:48 AM