Foliage Plant Combinations | Forget The Flowers

Establish a framework of interesting leaves for your favorite floral treasures or skip the flowers altogether and simply enjoy exciting foliage tapestries.

Difficulty: Easy

To see more: http://blackthumbgardener.com/foliage-plant-combinations-forget-the-flowers/

17 Comments

Miriam I New York, NY

Beautiful combos!

on Jan 29, 2013 · Like 1
Douglas Hunt New Smyrna Beach, FL

This is an excellent reminder that foliage lasts far longer than flowers and that we should plan our gardens with foliage in mind. (Some plant IDs would be great so we know what the combinations are.)

on Jan 30, 2013 · Like 2
The Black Thumb Gardener Pittsford, NY

Absolutely Douglas, when gardening is smaller spaces it allows people to have interest and contrast all year long.

on Jan 30, 2013 · Like 0
Becky Blair, NE

Beautiful The Black Thumb Gardener. I too would like to know the names so I can check if they'd work in our zone.

on Jan 30, 2013 · Like 1
The Black Thumb Gardener Pittsford, NY

Becky, If you follow the link above the pictures you can see the article those pictures were used in. I was fortunate enough to have Karen Chapman write the article. She has a book coming out soon focused on foliage combinations and is also a landscape container designer. The pictures are hers and you can see find more great pictures on here website which is linked to in the article.

on Jan 31, 2013 · Like 0
Becky Blair, NE

Thank you The Black Thumb Gardener. I have no clue why I didn't check your link first. I normally do that. Thank you for taking the time to inform me so kindly in what I should have done in the first place. :^) I'll keep that page open for tomorrow. I really should be in bed right now, but was gone most of the day and I'm trying to catch up on HT.

on Jan 31, 2013 · Like 0
Debbie Borthwick Canada

Beautiful! I collect hostas and love foilage plants, huechera look wonderful in the different blues, greens & yellows. My woodland garden is my favourite of all my gardens.

on Feb 01, 2013 · Like 0
Jeanette S Atlanta, GA

I have started going more and more for foliage than flowers. here is my first attempt at a foliage bed with only 2 flowers and they come back every year too. I am going to plant a large elevated circle in foliage this year. This photo was taken in July when we were having very little rain and it looks great! I will post my results!
- 1
on Feb 01, 2013 · Like 1
Douglas Hunt New Smyrna Beach, FL

Great job, Jeanette. We look forward to seeing what you come up with this year.

on Feb 01, 2013 · Like 0
Robyn Farwell West Lebanon, NH

Ahhhh - just what I'v always wanted to do.. I have 2 areas that needs exactly this, instead of flowers. I'd love to know the names of the plants you pictured, if you would not mind. This is where I'd like to omit the flowers and plant the plants. Thank you for your post. Gardening is my passion and this was a big help.
on Feb 02, 2013 · Like 0
Douglas Hunt New Smyrna Beach, FL

Robyn, you have a great start with those ferns. I trust the area is shady? Heuchera would look great in front of them.

on Feb 02, 2013 · Like 0
Jeanette S Atlanta, GA

Thanks Douglas, this bed will come back every year. I am going to plant different shades of green foliage in my large circle because I am limited to what yard work I can do. Here is a photo of one year.
on Feb 03, 2013 · Like 0
Douglas Hunt New Smyrna Beach, FL

Jeanette S I don't think anyone would think you were limited in what you can do judging by that lovely front yard.
Robyn Farwell I'm not dodging your question, but you will get betters answers if you group each of these areas as a separate "I'm looking for ideas for this area..." type of question because more people will see them and be able ...»
to add their suggestions and we won't take over Black Thumb's post. Try to include something about the area: The light conditions, whether there is access to irrigation and your horticultural zone. Are you 4?

on Feb 04, 2013 · Like 0
The Black Thumb Gardener Pittsford, NY

Robyn, have you ever considered Hakone grass? For low light areas its a great way to bring in color that lasts through the entire growing season.

on Feb 04, 2013 · Like 0
Jeanette S Atlanta, GA

Thanks for the compliment Douglas...but we are getting to the point that we have to curtail the work involved due to our growing lack of tolerance to heat...and you know it gets hot here in Atlanta! And dry mading flowers not so desirable. It is getting too costly to water enough to matter. I am looking at foliage in color, I love different varieties of greens in plantings, with a few added spots of color. This will probably take a few years to get it just right. I lucked out on the ...»
mailbox thing...it just fell into place. I have no idea why, but that spot is always the prettiest and the flowers just explode there! I think this year I am going to add a lot of sand in my planting circle. Note photo of a past planting at mailbox and how vibrant it was. I cannot seem to duplicate this any where else...????...don't know why and it is in full sun!
on Feb 04, 2013 · Like 0
Robyn Farwell West Lebanon, NH

The Black Thumb Gardner - No I have not considered Hakone grass, but will definitely try this. Thank you for your input. I appreciate it!!

on Feb 04, 2013 · Like 0
Douglas Hunt New Smyrna Beach, FL

Just such mysteries are what keeps gardening interesting, Jeanette.

on Feb 04, 2013 · Like 0