It is a new year and everything I read lately has been dominated by best and worst of 2008 lists and much pontificating about resolutions.
I've been struggling with the concept of resolutions, and the media's fixation with creating a more balanced life, beautiful garden, great body etc.
And resolutions everyone makes them, everyone breaks them and I sometimes wonder who set this bar of standards (so to speak) that we all feel we must aspire.Frankly, I think we have oversold the idea of balance - that a life of balance is a well-rounded one. Some of the most vibrant people I know and places I have been are not models of balance.
Some of them are decidedly off kilter and messy around the edges. But they shine.So in lieu of a best and worst list I want to share a genus that keeps popping up. They are not the best, not the worst - call it shrubs to see and be seen - Salix integra Hakuro Nishiki.
OK, OK, I know it's a willow, but this graceful shrub is delicate in appearance and arresting in the garden for most of the year, so don't give up on me yet.The distinctive leaves are slender, light green mottled with pink and cream. Absolutely gorgeous when they emerge in spring with stems and buds a salmon pink. In winter, the stems from the current season turn coral red. The flowers are not much to write home about, but who cares?Ideally they should be planted in full sun - but it's a willow, they grow quickly and if you want to slow them down they can take half-day shade. You can often find these shrubs standardized into a tree form and they are fun if you like pruning.While we are on the subject of Salix, check out the Arctic Blue Leaf willow (or Salix purpurea Nana). A gorgeous upright small shrub that is an excellent hedge plant and can take heavy pruning.
This shrub sports finely textured, blue-green leaves and deep purple twigs. There are few slender, small-leafed shrubs to choose from. Willows will give the landscape palette a delicate textural twist it is usually lacking.Check them out and get messy and unbalanced and have a great gardening new year.
