Ornamental Plants

My post yesterday got a little picture heavy so I saved the plants I took pictures of to post today.

All around the buildings on the campus of the West Tennessee Agricultural Research station there are a lot of interesting plants. There is an Ornamental Horticulturist on staff to take care of the plants and answer people’s questions about plants you might have in your yard. In addition to agricultural research, they also conduct Forestry research and turf and grasses.

I like those “Black Magic” elephant ears planted in amongst those yellow Coleus.

I’ve never seen this shade of Coleus for sale around here. The station sometimes gets plants that are just being developed and are not for sale yet. I think the local chapter of “Master Gardeners” help tend these displays as well.

This is one of my favorites, I have a thing for giant Elephant Ears. Two years ago, Elephant Ears were the featured plants and there must have been nearly 100 different ones, miniature specimens all the way up to giants. We have finally got most of the brush cleared from the area in front of the homestead so I am about ready to start doing some landscaping. You can bet I will have some Elephant Ears included in the design.

The plants I most have an affinity for in the landscape are Hostas. This is a picture I found on the web of an Empress Wu hosta, I will definitely have to get one of those! Keep prepping everyone.

Coleus

Seasonsgirl recently posted a picture of her Coleus, so I thought I would post mine.

They did manage to survive the terrible drought this summer. I will have lots and lots of places I can plant flowers on the homestead next year, I can hardly wait!