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Big leaves, spiky leaves…my love for both is well documented. However, I’m also drawn to the tiniest of leaves and especially love them when seen in combination with the big ones. It’s all about the contrast.

Acacia dealbata and Paulownia tomentosa, that’s extreme contrast…
Acacia dealbata and Paulownia tomentosa 1

The A. dealbata has surprised me with its growth this year, it’s doing an admirable job of keeping pace with the Paulownia tomentosa – which is known to be a fast grower.
Acacia dealbata and Paulownia tomentosa 2

Here it’s doing battle with Ceanothus ‘Dark Star’ to see which one can out tiny the other one.
Acacia dealbata and Ceanothus 'Dark Star'

The Fatsia polycarpa ‘Needham’s Lace’ has decided to buddy up to multiple tiny leaves, here it’s with Acacia baileyana ‘Purpurea’.
Fatsia polycarpa 'Needham's Lace' and Acacia baileyana 'Purpurea' 1

The A. baileyana ‘Purpurea’ isn’t hardy but has done well in a container.
Fatsia polycarpa 'Needham's Lace' and Acacia baileyana 'Purpurea' 2

F. polycarpa ‘Needham’s Lace’ and Caesalpinia gilliesii.
Fatsia polycarpa 'Needham's Lace' and Caesalpinia gilliesii

F. polycarpa ‘Needham’s Lace’ and Pittosporum illicioides ‘Strappy’. Is the Fatsia a show off, or just friendly?
Fatsia polycarpa 'Needham's Lace' and Pittosporum illicioides 'Strappy'

Grevillea australis and Symphytum x uplandicum ‘Axminster Gold’. In addition to tiny leaves the Grevillea also has extremely small flowers.
Grevillea australis and Symphytum x uplandicum 'Axminster Gold'

Aeschynomene fluitans (which I mislabeled on my Bloomday post as Neptunia aquatica). It’s leaves aren’t especially tiny, but next to the bigger leaves of the water lily they still give the same feeling of contrast and texture.
Neptunia aquatica

Canna Australia and Amsonia hubrichtii.
Canna Australia and Amsonia hubrichtii

And hiding in the background of the photo above is another Caesalpinia gilliesii (I’m still holding out hope for blooms this summer).
Caesalpinia gilliesii 2

Rhamnus frangula (Fine Line Buckthorn). Our friends at Cistus nursery describe this one well: “Airy-fairy buckthorn with a delicate lightness to the entire plant — or the look of a bad hair day”…
Rhamnus frangula (Fine Line Buckthorn)

Albizia julibrissin ‘Summer Chocolate’ – tiny DARK leaves. Score two for this tree!
Albizia julibrissin ‘Summer Chocolate'

Muehlenbeckia astonii, tiny leaves and zig-zag branches. Does it get any better?
Muehlenbeckia astonii

Yes it does! Sophora prostrata ‘Little Baby’ continues the zig-zagging but the leaves are even smaller and there are multiples.
Sophora prostrata 'Little Baby' 1

I am smitten.
Sophora prostrata 'Little Baby' 2

Do you have any tiny-leaf favorites?