A Fan of Foliage

It's a well-known axiom that plants with interesting foliage are the real workhorses of the ornamental garden. After all, foliage usually has a longer season than flowers. Variations in color, shape, size, texture, and arrangement on the stem offer a multitude of design choices.

In our own garden, arranging and balancing foliage is a constant dance. Too much of a similar texture in one area? Something's going to get moved. Same with leaf color or variation or size.

Here's some of the foliage I'm enjoying this week in the garden.

Clerodendrum  trichotomum 'Carnival'

Daboecia cantabrica

Eryngium 'Big Blue'

Eryngium venustum

Eucomis 'Freckles'

Fothergilla gardenii 'Blue Shadow'

Geum triflorum

Helichrysum italicum

Heliopsis helianthoides 'Lorraine Sunshine'

Ledebouria cooperi

Olearia lepidophylla

Pinus mugo 'Carsten's Wintergold'

Sanguisorba menziesii

Uncinia unciniata 'Rubra'

Yucca flaccida 'Yellow Stripe'