When you rely on foliage over flowers, a plant rarely experiences a “down period.” The following are all plants that play an important role in my garden’s composition.
See how Curtis utilizes this fabulous foliage in his immersive garden oasis
Interesting Form
1. Chinese mayapple
Name: Podophyllum pleianthum
Zones: 6–8
Size: 1 to 2 feet tall and wide
Conditions: Full shade; moist, well-drained soil
Native range: Northern China
This bold wonder has large, juicy leaves that cannot be ignored.
2. Western sword fern
Name: Polystichum munitum
Zones: 3–8
Size: 2 to 4 feet tall and wide
Conditions: Partial to full shade; rich, well-drained soil
Native range: Western United States
Watching the upright amber fronds of our native sword fern unfurling is one of the great pleasures of spring.
3. ‘Guacamole’ hosta
Name: Hosta ‘Guacamole’
Zones: 3–9
Size: 3 feet tall and wide
Conditions: Partial to full shade; well-drained soil
Native range: Northeast Asia
Tucked in the cool shade of the brick courtyard, this hosta makes a statement with its bold outline.
Alluring Color
4. ‘Mrs. Pollock’ geranium
Name: Pelargonium ‘Mrs. Pollock’
Zones: 11
Size: 1 foot tall and wide
Conditions: Full sun to partial shade; moist, well-drained soil
Native range: Europe
In fall many plants are past their prime, but ‘Mrs. Pollock’ geranium remains radiant until a hard freeze. This is a season’s worth of color laid out in gradients—red to chartreuse, pink to spring green.
5. ‘Lemon Daddy’ bigleaf hydrangea
Name: Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Lemon Daddy’
Zones: 6–9
Size: 3 to 5 feet tall and wide
Conditions: Partial shade; moist, well-drained soil
Native range: East Asia
I love the blushes of color on this chartreuse hydrangea, with its purple, pink, yellow, green, and lavender edges.
6. Chinese Virginia creeper
Name: Parthenocissus henryana
Zones: 6–9
Size: Up to 30 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet wide
Conditions: Partial shade; well-drained soil
Native range: China
With its silver veins and brilliant fall color, this plant thrives on the east side of my fence. It is a perfect alternative to invasive vines because it won’t run rampant.
Dynamic Texture
7. ‘Teddy Bear’ rhododendron
Name: Rhododendron ‘Teddy Bear’
Zones: 5–9
Size: 3 to 5 feet tall and wide
Conditions: Partial shade; moist, well-drained soil
Native Range: Asia, North America, Europe, Australia
If I had to pick a favorite plant in my garden, this would be it, particularly during the time of year when its pubescent leaves are covered with fuzzy terra-cotta suede indumentum.
8. ‘Aureola’ Japanese forest grass
Name: Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’
Zones: 5–9
Size: 1 to 1½ feet tall and wide
Conditions: Partial shade; well-drained soil
Native range: Japan
Give it a haircut on the coldest day of year, and in spring chartreuse blades will shoot from its suddenly red crown. By mid-spring you won’t be able to believe the magnificent bright fountain of foliage.
9. Korean fir
Name: Abies koreana
Zones: 5–7
Size: 15 to 30 feet tall and 6 to 12 feet wide
Conditions: Full sun to partial shade; average, well-drained soil
Native range: Korea
The needled foliage sets the stage for perfectly formed, upright cones that start off a deep plum and become bluer and bluer and bigger and bigger as the season progresses.
Curtis Steiner is a professional artist and avid gardener from the Pacific Northwest.
