Green is serene
July 01, 2008
High Too early to tell
Low 63 F
Green is always a good topic for conversation in the garden blog world and Emma, over at IndyBlogs, has suggested green for a post. In the midst of the July borders, where color is the highlight, green is the soothing backdrop. It is interesting to note how many heart shaped leaves there are in the garden. 
The Dutchman's Pipe, a vine which seems to be taking over the fence and border (don't plant it!), has a flat, dull surface but it is now a green wall providing privacy on the wire fence in the corner of the pool garden.
I believe that this is Aristolochia tomentosa and, be forewarned, it travels everywhere. If it were not for its' invasive nature, I would be a bit more of a fan! 
The vegetable garden has is predominantly green right now with bits of bright calendula adding contrast. Who doesn't love the promising green of tomatoes
growing lushly in their wire cages? Zeus is looking quite 'manly' with his crown of sempervivum sporting a tumescent flower stalk which is predominantly green. 
I didn't actually think of this effect when I planted him but it makes me chuckle every time I see him. The evergreens such as this
Pinus strobus 'Soft Touch' and the
Larix decidua 'Pendula' are sporting their new shades of green of the emerging new growth. 
The hostas are a wealth of green shades and I never tire of the streaks and stripes
on their leaves. Forsythia are a welcome sight in springtime but their yellow glory fades as the season progresses. This forsythia,
however, Forsythia 'Fiesta', is one well worth having in the mixed border for its' cheerful variegation, cherry red stems, and demur habit. The bleeding hearts have long faded but their foliage still remains and 
holds the dew drops nicely. The gold leaf Catalpa tree which is cut back to the main trunk every spring generates a sumptuously tropical looking green/gold leaf. 
It is a punctuation in the back border where green predominates. On the first of July, the borders are reaching a peak of color but green, green can be subtly exciting don't you think?