Foliage, purple or otherwise

Thanks to Mary in zone 6 for reminding us about the red foliage
of some roses!  My few roses are concentrated in one area and I
have one variety that has the most stunning new foliage in burgundy,
with clusters of deep red flowers -- naturally I've misplaced the name.
This variety tends to drop its leaves early for some reason but May
through September, it usually presents a 2-3 foot clump of dark green
and burgundy glossy leaves - stunning! Esp. with grey foliage near it.

I do have a rosa glauca and would never be without one -- more greyish
lavender foliage here (in half-sun) and large persistent orange
fruit.  It's more like a tree than a rose or shrub, however, now at
8 feet -- I prune wayward branches to keep it about 4-5 feet wide 
and mask the long bare trunk with weaving geraniums and artimesia
'Valerie Finnis' or 'Powis Castle'.

This year, a tender perennial that's caught my fancy is Persian Shield -
strobilanthes dyerianus. Purpley-lavendar leaves with silver accents.
I had one plant in shade two years ago and was surprised and delighted
when it bloomed in late summer with 6-7 inch plumes of tiny whitish
lavendar flowers, rather like plectranthus. Can be overwintered as a
house plant, although it can get large (3x3).  It's offered by Park and
the Glasshouse Works. I plan to use it as an accent in beds as well as
in large mixed pots or urns with Oriental lilies.

Anne - Chicago


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