FOLIAGE FUN

I remember the day I learned about texture in the garden.  I had an area that looked so weedy, but it was full of flowers.  I couldn't figure it out.  Then I read an article about foliage and how you should not only choose plants for their pretty flowers and colors, but just as important - for their foliage.  A mix of foliage types; i.e. wispy, bold, feathery, strappy, big, small, mounding, etc., makes a big difference in the look of a garden.  In almost every area in my garden that I wasn't happy with, I found no mix of texture and foliage. Now I am trying to think about texture and foliage as I rework areas.  Here are some photos of nice foliage plants that I have in my garden, now the trick is to place something very different next to them!

Big, bold leaves of Money Penny

Sedum; bold, thick, bluish

 Columbine; light and airy

 Blue juniper ; spiky, blue, tiny needles

I can't remember what this is, but I love the texture and the yellow tips in Spring 

Yellow Coleus; lobed and veined leaves

 Heuchra; Deeply lobed, pretty yellow and pink leaves

 Silvery leaves of  Rose Campion

 Foxglove, crinkly and pointy

 Lace Cap Hydrangea; bicolor, rounded leaves

 Arborvitae, frilly,  tipped with yellow in Spring

 Bugleweed; deeply veined and tricolor

 A handsome pairing of Japanese Painted Fern and white edged Hosta

It's a never ending process in the garden, and although I've been at it for 20+ years, I still have a lot to learn.    Mostly I use the trial and error approach.  Seems like what works one year may not the next! Crazy.  Which is another reason why texture and foliage is so important.  If something doesn't bloom like you hoped, you can still have an area that you love if your have the right contasts.

I'm joining Mosaic Monday and Outdoor Wednesday this week.