Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Big Leaf Central

We've had a little over an inch of rain over the past couple days in Seattle.  That's more than 12,000 gallons of water falling across the half acre of the garden.  After two weeks of dry and warm weather, I have to admit the rain is a welcome change.  It also gives me an opportunity to blog, since I would otherwise be doing something outside right now.

Magnolia macrophylla
And, yes, lots of rain is required when growing lots of big leaves.  Mid to late-May is generally the time when the big-leaved plants really start to shine.

Hosta 'T-Rex'
Hosta 'Sum and Substance'
Astilboides tabularis
Gunnera manicata
Although these hardy bananas (Musa basjoo) reach their peak in October, they are at least out of their ugly stage for the season.

Musa basjoo
Ligularia x hessei 'Gregynog Gold'
For those who don't suffer from the allergic reaction associated with this plant, Tetrapanax papyrifer is one of the coolest plants there are and everyone else should definitely grow it.  It does sort of spread so put it in an area where it can run and do its thing.  If you're lucky you'll soon have a Tetrapanax forest.

Tetrapanax papyrifer

1 comment:

  1. Great post, love your selection of big leafed wonders. Tetrapanax is a gem!

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