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April, 2015
Foliage plants for a high impact, low maintenance garden
Recently, we’ve been asked to create planting schemes for clients that feature a high proportion of bold, architectural plants, with a particular emphasis on foliage. As we become increasingly time poor, using plants that offer striking forms and foliage can be an easy way to create a low-maintenance, high impact garden.
We're probably all familiar with Japanese acers with their various leaf forms and striking autumnal colours. Think also of evergreen shrubs such as Fatsia japonica or Mahonia. Or what about Nandina domestica, also known as Sacred Bamboo. Nandina, which isn't actually a bamboo at all, is a great example of a plant that delivers several bangs for your buck when it comes to visual impact and long season of interest in the garden. Not only does it have lovely lance-shaped leaves but it also has berries and blossom, as well as autumn colour change. Best of all, it's evergreen too. Below, from left: Fatsia japonica, Mahonia, Nandina domestica.
But when it comes to architectural plants, don't limit your thinking, or planting palette, exclusively to shrubs and trees. For plants that deliver foliar effect in the garden there are also a host of leafy perennials to extend the season of interest. If you have the space to create deep borders, say two to three metres or more, then you also have the opportunity to boost texture and foliar interest by introducing some worthy architectural perennials.
Why not complement those Chusan palms, Acers and Photinias with perennials such as Bergenias, Heucheras and Hostas, not forgetting early-flowering Hellebores and a wide
variety of deciduous and evergreen ferns? And if you're looking to introduce a splash of colour to contrast with all that foliage, then how about the later-flowering fiery Crocosmias, or even that old cottage garden favourite, the humble lupin - surely a comeback-kid for the bold border. Below from left: Heuchera, Hosta, Lupin.