Adding colorful foliage plants to your garden is a sure way to ensure a burst of enduring charm and visual excitement.
Unlike flowers, which can fade quickly, require constant maintenance, or sometimes choose not to bloom at all, well-chosen foliage plants shine with brilliance all season long and typically need less attention.
Here are several stunning foliage plants that can elevate your outdoor spaces with their unique character.
Carolina Sweetheart® Redbud
Scientific Name: Cercis canadensis ‘NCCC1’
Hardiness Zones: 5–9
Mature Size: Stands between 15 to 20 feet tall and spans 20 to 25 feet wide
Growing Conditions: Enjoys full sun to partial shade, flourishing in average, well-drained soil
The Carolina Sweetheart® redbud enchants gardeners with its remarkable visual display.
This tree not only features the typical brilliant pink blooms that arrive in early spring but also boasts a fantastical array of foliage that transforms throughout the seasons.
As summer approaches, you can enjoy a delightful mix of red, pink, white, and green leaves, often showcasing multiple colors on a single leaf.
‘Mystic Dreamer’ Dahlia
Scientific Name: Dahlia ‘Mystic Dreamer’
Hardiness Zones: Suitable for 8–11; can be grown as an annual in Zones 3–7
Mature Size: Grows to approximately 20 to 30 inches tall and 18 to 24 inches wide
Growing Conditions: Thrives in full sun and prefers well-drained, average-quality soil
With its striking dark leaves that are almost black, the ‘Mystic Dreamer’ dahlia offers a compelling contrast against its lovely medium-pink blossoms.
This plant is not only gorgeous in your garden but also versatile; it makes for an elegant cut flower and pairs beautifully in container arrangements.
‘Chameleon’ Little Bluestem
Scientific Name: Schizachyrium scoparium ‘Chameleon’
Hardiness Zones: 3–9
Mature Size: Reaches 1 to 2 feet tall and wide
Growing Conditions: Adapts well to full sun and prefers well-drained soil, tolerating a range from average to dry
Renowned for its ornamental style, the ‘Chameleon’ little bluestem brings a changing palette to your landscape.
As the seasons shift, so does its foliage, offering continuous visual interest that captivates the eye throughout the year.
Star Showers® Virginia Creeper
Scientific Name: Parthenocissus quinquefolia ‘Monham’
Hardiness Zones: 3–10
Mature Size: Can climb 30 to 50 feet tall while spreading 5 to 10 feet wide
Growing Conditions: Thrives in both full sun and partial shade, favoring average, well-drained soil
The striking Star Showers® Virginia creeper not only brightens your garden with its colorful variegation but also serves two important functions.
It works beautifully both as a climbing vine and as ground cover, making it a versatile addition to any landscape.
Foliage plants provide a reliable means of bringing instant vibrancy and year-round beauty to your garden.
With such a vast selection of colorful plants available to suit various gardening aesthetics and conditions, the real challenge lies in choosing the perfect varieties to realize your design dreams!
Source: Finegardening