6 heucheras for fantastic foliage

‘Can-can’ AGM

Tight, compact plants feature ruffled silver foliage with bronze veins, becoming greener in summer and revealing the red undersides to the leaves. The leaves are said to resemble a can-can-dancing dress. Good for: Window boxes and other tight spaces. Flowers: Small, greenish and best snipped off. Hardiness: RHS H6. Height: 12in (30cm). Also try: ‘Regina’ (with rounded leaves).

‘Lime Marmalade’ AGM

Densely ruffled, limey-yellow leaves make a bold vibrant mound of foliage Vigorous and robust, keeps its colour well all year. Good for: Well-drained soils, in groups as a ground cove, and amazing as a container specimen – in a terracotta pot, perhaps. Flowers: White flowers on tall stems. Hardiness: RHS H6. Height: 16in (40cm). Also try: ‘Lime Rickey’ (smaller, neater growth).

‘Tangerine Wave’ AGM

Makes a compact mound of lobed and waved foliage unfurling in beige and gold, then orange red and dark red, changing through the months. May lose some or all of its foliage in cold winters. Good for: Containers, in a sunny place to bring out the best colour. Flowers: Small, white and best snipped off. Hardiness: RHS H6. Height: 10in (25cm). Also try:

‘Frilly’ (dramatically frilled leaves).

‘Obsidian’ AGM

Broad, rounded, gently lobed leaves up to 4in (10cm) across are almost black with slight reddish tints and hold their colour all year round. Strong growing and reliable. Good for: Planting with blue or white spring scillas. Flowers: Small, creamy flowers are best snipped off. Hardiness: RHS H6. Height: 12in (30cm). Also try: ‘Black Pearl’ (ruffled leaves, and perhaps even more black).

‘Green Spice’ AGM

Small, lobed green leaves with blood-red veins that are striking in cooler weather, and overlaid with a silver sheen. Matures almost twice as wide as high so makes fine groundcover. Good for: Shade, poor soil, leaves are pretty in posies. Flowers: Small, white and best snipped off or left for bees. Hardiness: RHS H6. Height: 10in (25cm). Also try: ‘Beauty Colour’ (redder foliage tints, especially in winter).

‘Silver Scrolls’

New spring leaves that are silver tinted deep red, become rounded and metallic silver in colour with slate-grey veins and are reddish-purple below. Takes drought very well. Good for: Container specimen, front of the border feature. Flowers: Tall and upright, pink buds open white. Hardiness: RHS H6. Height: 14in (35cm). Also try: ‘Frosted Berry’(one step up in size).