I once tried to talk someone into having a black and white garden, with plants that had dark blooms or foliage (sometimes called chocolate), and plants with white blooms or grey foliage. I thought it would look beautiful. I suggested a small pop of color such as yellow, or hot pink. She didn't go for it. :(
The two plants flowering with hot pink blooms in my garden right now are the 'Kanjiro' camellia and the loropetalum. Loropetalums are known as the "fringe flower" and it's easy to see why, as their petals hang down like fringe. They are members of the witch hazel family (Hamamelidaceae), and you can see the resemblance.
Loropetalums grow in zones 7 through 10, and most of the time they are sheared into a hedge. An evergreen, it is prized for its dark foliage. It could be a beautiful addition to a black and white garden - with just a touch of hot pink!
What do you think about the concept of a black and white (and hot pink) garden?
I don't pay attention to the fashion gurus either Holley although it can be so in your face its hard not to be aware of whats going on. The Loropetalum I have never seen, I can see by the flowers that it would be a member of the witch hazel family. I think your concept of black and white highlighted with a little colour could well be very striking.
ReplyDeleteI would love to see a garden done like that. I wonder if I would like it as much as I think I would.
DeleteThat's a beautiful Camellia. I've accidentally created a little black and white feature. I recently had to move an ophiopogon that has grass-like black leaves. I divided it into small plantlets, one of which is now planted next to a clump of snowdrops, although I didn't realise it at the time. The ophiopogon is still very small, but it should provide a nice backdrop to the snowdrops next year.
ReplyDeleteYour black and white feature sounds wonderful! I may have to plant something black next to my snowdrops!
DeleteI like the idea....wonder if I can create a planter with that theme?
ReplyDeleteI think a planter would be wonderful! That way, you wouldn't be 'married' to it if you didn't like it!
DeleteFunnily, it's not a color I think I ever thought of having in my garden, but it has snuck in randomly, especially in Monarda 'Raspberry Wine', which I probably wouldn't have bought had I seen it in bloom at the time! Luckily, I've grown to love it's bold brashness!
ReplyDeleteI think Hot Pink is a sneaky color! The loropetalum, I'm sure is not purchased mainly for its hot pink blooms. But, I think its a fun color to see in the garden.
DeleteI tried to create a small bed that was black and white with purple. I used Black Magic Taro for the black, a dark purple Louisiana iris and a white flowering mallow. It never looked quite how I visualized it in my mind. I do think I would try a similar combination again, but maybe with hot pink instead of the dark purple. Thanks for reminding me! Love your blog!
ReplyDeleteI hate that when things aren't the same as we think they should have come out! Usually, it's just one little thing that's 'off' from our mind's eye. I hope you like the hot pink!
DeleteFunny you mentioned about pink going in and out of fashion, the shade of pink the camellia has reminded me of one of Audrey Hepburn's dress in the movie Funny Face :) Gorgeous flower! Personally black and white gardening is too limiting, too many beautiful colours out there to limit one self, and that pink included :)
ReplyDeleteI can remember at one time, no one dared wear pink! Now I think it's fairly popular again. And there was the time that men's shirts in pink was very popular. I agree with you that I could never have a black and white garden. Although I think it could be gorgeous, I love color too much!
DeleteBlack, white (plus silver), and hot pink would be very art deco. I haven't planted a lorepetalum here yet because it is borderline hardy, but i love them.
ReplyDeleteYes, I was thinking modern, but you're right - art deco. I try not to push the zones much, either. I've been bit too many times!
DeletePretty blooms, especially the camellia. The hot pink with bright yellow center is wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI don't know why I seem to always get hot pink camellias. I guess I like the color!
DeleteHot pink never goes out of style in my books!
ReplyDeleteAnd it never goes out of style in my garden!
DeleteCould be quite interesting, Holley! You always come up with such creative ideas! I know I could never wear that hot pink color, but it certainly is beautiful in the garden. :)
ReplyDeleteI have a hot pink windbreaker that I bought just to garden in. I purchased it because it was on sale. I almost didn't get it because of the color, but now I like wearing it. It's a happy color to be out in the garden in!
DeleteHot pink is hard to work with bu goes great with the silver and gray foliage.
ReplyDeleteI can see how the silvery foliage would really make it shine!
DeleteI love hot pink, Holley. It does look fabulous in the garden, doesn't it??? Many of my favorite rose pictures of 2011 are hot pink!!!!! Wonder why???? It's just NEAT...
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures. Thanks.
Hugs,
Betsy
I wondered how many of my roses were hot pink. I love that color, too!
DeleteHolley, I like hot pink but not too much, it does go wonderfully with gray. I think a lot about colour schemes and how ideas change. I used to be very selective, now I'm often pleased if they just grow well.
ReplyDeletehaha - Yes, I'm the say way. I used to worry about color coordination. But, if it lives, it gets a 'go' in my garden!
DeleteI love pink in the garden, including Hot pink!! All shades of pink work for me.
ReplyDeleteAs for fashion - who cares. If I like something, I like it, whether its "In" or "Out". :)
I do like the idea of the black & white garden.
I love pink flowers, too. It clashes with my brick house, and I've had several people point that out, but I don't care. I plant what makes me happy. And pink is such a happy color!
DeleteI think the black, white and hot pink would look very cool in the right spot...I love hot pink in the garden...just not in my all white garden
ReplyDeleteIt would stand out in an all white garden!
DeleteI may have to give this concept a try in some containers this summer. It would be a fun experiment.
ReplyDeleteLove the pink!! And with the black and white theme - a winner!
ReplyDeleteI think it could be very striking - at least in my imagination it is! :)
DeleteI thank you for giveing me the name of this Camilia. I was wrong I forgot I have a pretty pink Camilia "Debutant" that is still blooming and a red with white(do not know the name of it) is still blooming and the biggest one I have ever seen about 3 inchs and very full. My blog page " Know your Camellias" will show you what I have. My Sasanqua is Pink snow it has the same yellow center as your hot pink one. We agree on Hot pink and yellow, my main color for roses. I am glad I found you. I am going to buy about 6 more Camellias. They can take just about any place in the garden. BlacK and white would make a pretty "room" I have no more space. I wear a lot of back and lovly combination Pink and yellow combination is mine and my daughter Charlottes favorite Thank you love your blog.
ReplyDeleteI have a lot of pink and yellow combinations in my garden, although I didn't set out to do that - it just evolved. Most of my roses, though, are apricot. Guess that's a mixture of pink and yellow!
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