June
2006
By
B. Rosie Lerner
Extension Consumer Horticulturist
Purdue University
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Foliage That Can Steal
The Show
Want to add a little drama to your garden? Need to perk up a shady bed?
Big, bold foliage can make a long-season statement!
Foliage often provides the bones of the garden, but it can also take center
stage with dramatic size, color variegation, texture and shape. Many of
the following plants have beautiful flowers, in addition to big, bold
foliage.
Acanthus spinosus (spiny bears-breeches) features spiny foliage
accented by purple or white blooms. Performs best in part shade and well-drained
soil.
Rheum palmatum is an ornamental form of rhubarb that does best
in part shade, moist, well-drained soil. There are some purplish-colored
forms.
Bergenia cordifolia (heartleaf bergenia, a.k.a. pig squeak) has
shiny, evergreen, elongated heart-shaped leaves that reach up to 12 inches
long. Although it has pink flowers in spring, the foliage is the main
attraction. Can adapt to full sun or part shade, but prefers moist, well-drained
soil.
Many Hosta cultivars have big, bold foliage, including Blue Angel, Blue
Mammoth, Blue Umbrellas, Elatior (glossy green), Frances Williams (blue
green with yellow-green edge), Jade Cascade, Liberty (green with a wide
yellow to white edge), Sum and Substance (golden green), Sum Of All (wide
yellow-green margin), Sum Total (crinkly leaves) and Vim and Vigor (shiny).
Rodgersia boasts huge leaves contrasted by delicate flowers. There are
several species each with unique foliage. R. pinnata (featherleaf
Rodgersia) has pinnately compound leaves up to 18 inches wide made up
of 5-7 leaflets, each up to 8 inches long. R. aesculifolia (fingerleaf
Rodgersia) has palmately compound leaves, resembling a horsechestnut.
R. tabularis (shieldleaf Rodgersia) has shield-like leaves up
to 3 feet wide on 2-3 foot stalks. Best planted in rich, reliably moist
soil with partial shade.
Some tender plants, which must be dug and stored for winter, can also
provide an exotic, tropical ambiance.
Caladium come in a wide range of colorful selections, with leaves varying
from 6 to 18 inches long on 1-2 foot-tall leaf stalks. Most cultivars
have some green accented by white, red and/or pink. Does best in partial
shade in moist, well-drained soil. Dig the tubers before frost and store
them dry over winter.
Canna leaves reach up to 2 feet long and 6 inches wide, with some selections
variegated with purple or yellow. Flowers of pink, yellow or scarlet add
a tropical show in mid to late summer, but the foliage, especially those
selections with purple or yellow variegation, are quite showy even when
not in bloom. Dig rhizomes after a frost, and store in peat moss over
winter.
Elephant Ears refer to a group of several species of tropical foliage
plants, including Xanthosoma, Alocasia and Colcasia. All have large, arrowhead-shaped
leaf, some variegated with purple, white or yellowish-green that lend
an exotic look to the garden. Those with white veins are particularly
striking. Dig bulbs before frost and store over winter.
Ornamental bananas are large, tree-like tropical plants that come in a
variety of leaf, flower and fruit colors. The large leaves are easily
damaged by high winds, so provide a sheltered location. These plants can
take full sun outdoors and should be cut back before storing indoors for
winter. Sinking the plant pot and all into the ground or keeping as a
potted plant on the patio will help facilitate moving the plant. Many
gardeners choose to discard them and buy new plants each summer. But some
of the most striking selections are rather pricey.
6-1-06
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