By Nikki Phipps
Did you know that green is the most easily seen color? Its calming effect is actually soothing on the eyes. Nonetheless, when it comes to the garden, this attractive color is often one that is overlooked. Instead, it’s the multitude of flower color which seems to take center stage. On the contrary, this shouldn’t be the case at all. An all green foliage garden can have just as much impact and appeal as any other garden, if not more. Foliage actually plays an important role within the garden, providing year-round interest while adding depth and personality at the same time.
Designing a garden with foliage plants is not only easy, but when all the elements of foliage are incorporated, it can also be quite impressive. So don’t think of an all green garden as dull or unappealing. With or without flowers, a foliage garden can be filled with interesting textures, unusual forms, and stunning colors.
Leaf texture is an important element in the foliage garden. This defines contours and creates contrast. If foliage plants are limited to only one type of leaf texture or even a few, the garden could certainly lose its appeal. However, with a wide range of textural characteristics used, this is unlikely to happen. Leaf textures include those that are waxy, rough, fuzzy, and smooth. The leaves of some foliage plants, such as lamb’s ear, are covered with tiny hairs, making them soft and velvety to the touch.
On the other hand, some foliage plants, like yucca, consist of bristles or thorns, making them hard to handle. There are a number of ornamental grasses that add instant texture and interest to the foliage garden. The clump-forming varieties are usually better as these are less invasive and include blue fescue, plume grass, Japanese silver grass, and fountain grass. Ferns are great for adding texture with their feathery fronds. The Japanese painted fern not only offers striking texture, but its silver and burgundy foliage can set the garden off as well. Other interesting foliage plants include elephant ears, ajugas, caladiums, hostas, Artemisias, and a variety of groundcovers.
Foliage plants also consist of various shapes and sizes. Some leaves are rounded, while others are straight and sword-like. They may be feathery, scalloped, or heart shaped. There are even types that will curl or twist into interesting shapes. There are plants that reach massive heights, plants that remain rather short, and a variety of plants that range in between.
When it comes to foliage color, you also have a wide variety to choose from. A foliage garden can range in color from light or dark green to yellow or blue-green. Some foliage appears gray or silver as well. There are numerous variegated foliage plants available and some containing red pigment, which results in shades of bronze to purple. Hostas are probably one of the most commonly used foliage plants in the garden. They range in color from light and dark green to blue-green and variegated shades.
Combining the different greens and other foliage colors with varying forms and textures can be just as beautiful and captivating as a garden rich with colorful blooms. Don’t forget to include a strong focal point in the foliage garden. This could be as simple as one large plant with distinctive foliage or a lovely fountain. Work other plants in around it.
If you are unfamiliar with the types of foliage plants available, there are numerous resources that can help. As with any type of garden, select plants that readily thrive in your particular area. There’s so much more to a garden than just flowers. Foliage plants can create a whole other dimension with their wide array of textures, forms, and colors.