Flower colors may vary, but most plants have green leaves.  So what about the landscape between bloom times?  Is all that green exciting enough?  Besides blooming annuals, there are alternatives that can bring color and texture with their foliage.

Foliage variegated with white can brighten up those lush shady areas.  Variegated Pachysandra and variegated Hostas are great examples of perennials that will accomplish this.  For added texture, Astilbes and ferns create an interesting lacy look.

Beads of water collect on the leaves of Lupine and Alchemilla.  These do great in partial shade.  Bergenia has large glossy leaves that turn purple in the winter if given a protected location.  To use red foliage in partial shade (or full sun), Penstemon ‘Husker Red’ and Heuchera ‘Palace Purple’ make nice additions—both blooming white.

For beds in full sun, consider some of the small shrubs like ‘Gold Flame’ or’Gold Mound’ Spirea, that have attractive red or yellow foliage, as does ‘Dart’s Gold’ Ninebark.  Red leaf Barberries provide striking contrast to other foliage color or blooms.  For a softer accent use silver / gray or blue foliage—check out the Artemesias ‘Silver Mound’ or the native Sages.

Ornamental grasses can make significant contribution to your garden landscape.  Blue Fescue and Blue Oat Grass offer light blue color and are only 8’ – 15’ tall.  Other grasses produce dramatic plumes in late summer when the rest of the landscape is paling.  The seed heads can be left on the plants into fall and winter for added effect.

Creating a dynamic landscape isn’t all in the flower color, shape and size.  You can accessorize your blooming beauties with foliage color and texture that accentuates and enhances the overall appearance of your garden.  

For any questions you have on this article, or any topic of concern, email us—or better yet, come by and talk to one of our professional staff members.  Remember, Phelan Gardens is open year-round  

For additional information, check the following links:  

• Perennial Gardening
• Herbaceous Perennials
• Ornamental Grasses
• Perennials how & when to plant