Color
is one of the most compelling of plant attributes and attracts attention in any
landscape. Traditionally, color in gardens is supplied by flowers. With bedding
plants this color is reasonably reliable, but when perennial flowers are used,
they have distinct and limited bloom-periods. The best way to prolong landscape color indefinitely
is through the use of plants with colorful foliage.
·
Colored
foliage ranges from white to near-black burgundy, with all the hues in between.
·
Colored
leaves often thrive in more shade that plants that rely on flowers, extending
the range and bringing color options into darker landscape areas.
·
Variegated
foliage is another version of landscape color and incredible patterns and
combinations attract garden interest.
Two of
the most commonly used colored-leaf foliage plants spring to mind:
Coleus,
botanically known as Solenostemon, is
a tender member of the mint family with square stems, 2-lipped flowers and an
incredible assortment of leaf colors. Varieties are available both for sun
(Solar and Sunlover Series) or shade (Ducksfoot Series or Independent). Color
combinations vary radically and small lavender flower spikes attract
pollinators.
Caladium
or Caladium bicolor grow from a tuber
or enlarged underground stem and produce medium-sized (6 to 24 inches), heart-shaped leaves of white, pink or red with
myriad variegation. Tropical caladiums are useful in
shade and are grown by many gardeners for this distinct foliage. Selections are predominantly red, pink or white. Native to South America, caladiums will not survive cold winters that experience heavy frost.
Perennials
with colored foliage are also indispensible
Handsome
Hosta leaves range in color from blue
as in glaucous ‘Blue Angel’ to yellow ‘Sum and Substance’ with lots of
variegated patterns such as ‘Patriot’ and sizes from miniature to the
extra-huge ‘Big Mama.’ Hostas thrive from Montreal to Miami and liven up shady
gardens.
Varieties
of Heuchera or Coral Bells have been
bred to produce a rainbow of colors from nearly black ‘Obsidian’ to bright pink
‘Georgia Peach.’ Heuchera are wonderful grouped in beds or added to container
plantings.
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| Snow-N-Summer fills pot |
My
favorite Snow-N-Summer(R) Asiatic Jasmine is the newest of the colored foliage
plants and has incredible pink-n-white new growth. A bed of this small groundcover
looks like a pink and white flower bed (without any flowers!). It has a
moderate growth rate and a compact spreading- to- mounding growth habit that
can be pruned or sheared to control height and spread. Shearing also promotes
new growth emphasizing the beautiful pink and white coloration. Pictured, right, in branded Garden Debut(R) pot.
For
more ideas on using colorful foliage to light up the landscape, visit Garden Debut(R).
