I love leaves

At this time of year all our attention seems to be on flowers. Obviously there is good reason for that, as my post from yesterday shows. In the grand scheme of things, however, flowers come and go while leaves are there year round—or at least most of the year.

I was amazed by the variety of leaves in our garden, not only in terms of size and color, but also shape and texture. These photos are just the tip of the iceberg, but they give you a good idea of what I’m drawn to.

We have plants whose leaves are small…

Creeping wire vine (Muhlenbeckia axillaris)

…and large.

Giant elephant ear (Alocasia macrorrhizos ‘Borneo Giant’)

Frilly…

Foxtail fern (Asparagus densiflorus 'Meyersii')

…and curly…

Lemon-scented pelargonium (Pelargonium crispum)

…and flat.

Greater meadow rue (Thalictrum aquilegifolium)

Rough…

Puya coerulea var. violacea

…and soft.

Purple Dragon dead nettle (Lamium maculatum 'Purple Dragon’)

Earthy…

Green rhubarb (Rheum x coltorum)

…and ethereal.

Green Japanese maple (Acer palmatum)

Solid…

Farfugium japonicum ‘Giganteum’

…and variegated.

Variegated aralia (Fatsia japonica ‘Variegata’)

Minimalist…

Yellow Buddha belly bamboo (Bambusa ventricosa ‘Kimmei’)

…and extravagant.

F.M. Joyner caladium (Caladium bicolor ‘F.M. Joyner’)

Here in the northern hemisphere, Mother Nature is offering us a veritable smorgasbord right now. Don’t forget to stop and take it all in!