Crotons for winter colour

Crotons have been growing in my garden for around 10 years now, they were first planted along the pathway from the house to the Pavilion.

 

 

 

I love the long narrow leaves on this Croton and the way they twist. A few years ago, a Bangalow Palm leaf fell down and broke off one side of this Croton; I was not happy about losing such a large section of this Croton.   This Croton is now around 1.5m (5') high.

 

 

Codiaeum Punctatum

This croton is around 1.8m (6') high; it is a strong and hardy grower. I am working out how to prune this one as it does hang over the path blocking the way.

 

This is an interrupted leaf variety, if you look carefully at the long leaf hanging down to the ground, on the left side of the photo. You will see that close to the top of the leaf there is a section with only the midvein, then the leaf starts again.  This is a smaller and slower growing Croton.




I gradually added more Crotons in other areas of the Pavilion Garden

Codiaem Captain Kid

 

Last September and October more Crotons were added to this area and the ones below were bought back from Darwin.  There is an amazing range of Crotons growing in Darwin and it is so tempting to buy more when we are there.

Codiaeum Turtle Shell

The photo above and below, show the different colours this Croton has during the year.

Codiaeum Turtle Shell

This one is a new release from Darwin.

 

Lower Garden 

Even though these are growing on the edge of the wall in the Pavilion Garden, they can only be seen from the Lower Garden.

 

Now having said that they can only be seen from the Lower Garden, this one is the exception as it is growing next to the steps leading up into the Pavilion Garden.





 

Is this 2 or 3 Crotons?

Just one showing the variation in leaf colour that can occur with Crotons.

 



 

The Crotons grow along the length of the wall, I have found this to be an ideal spot for them as it is well drained and it also has filtered sun for most of the day throughout the year.

It can be fascinating watching the Crotons grow. This one has a lot of yellow in the leaf at certain times of the year, while at other times it is mainly red in colour.

Pool Garden

I think these are all the same Codiaeum cultivar but they are growing in different parts of this garden. 

 

Front Garden

The Front Garden was a very open and cold area; this was not the best area to plant  Crotons but I couldn't resist, I planted two close to the house (first 2 photos below).  In late 2009, we renovated the Front Garden; retaining walls and pathways were built and a new central garden replaced the lawn.  More Crotons were then planted around the pathways. 

 

 

This is not a recent photo of this Croton as it is a spot in the garden where it gets full sun during winter which bleaches the colours out of the leaves, leaving them looking wishy washy.

 

 

This is the latest addition to the Front Garden and it is almost through its first winter and still looking great.