Kiss the Earth

Gardening experts are forever telling us to highlight different textures in our choice of plants. That sounds good, but sometimes it's hard to know what's what. Looking at some of the entries in the competitive classes here at the show, I started to consider plants with that in mind. Not sure I could translate this into a harmonious, yet varied, selection in my own garden or home just yet, but it's fun to think about.

In the rock garden category is a weird little beauty called Monanthes polyphylla. (See photo above.) It grows wild in the Canary Islands and, come to think of it, looks pretty wild here in the Convention Center. Small, low-rise bumps fill a pot, sort of a brownish-green moonscape, very odd. You'll never find that description in print, but people here were talking about it that way.

They also linger in front of the formal flowering or fruiting plant category, in which a giant rhododendron puff-ball took first place. The flowers are big and curly-edged, sweet pink with fuschia accents. You just want to put your face in there, especially on a day like today. (Still snowing, by the way.)

Soft, tall and pink or round, stubby and brown-green. An odd couple, for sure, certainly instructive to think about. When you get right down to it, you might not want to grow them side by side in your sunroom, but you get the idea.