Make most the of foliage
Use dramatic leaves in varying hues, patterns and textures to give borders an extra shot of colour
Whether you’re starting with a blank canvas or from an already established planting, a backbone of foliage is essential. Green, purple, grey or gold leaves will provide a framework around which shrubs, grasses, perennials, annuals and bulbs can be added to build up layers of seasonal colour. GREEN is often overlooked as a colour in a garden, but it helps bring all the other hues together and create a coherent foil for flowers. Green foliage adds a calming feel to a space and gives the eyes a place to rest. Newly emerging leaves add a zest and energy to spring planting. In summer, as the new growth matures, taking on darker tones, it provides a cooling, verdant backdrop for the crescendo of summer flowers. Some leaves then adopt a kaleidoscope of colours in autumn, while evergreens, such as box, sarcococca and Ilex crenata, will stick around into the winter months, where they finally take centre stage when all else is dormant. PURPLE leaves and ruby red foliage of plants such as Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Diabolo’, Sambucus nigra and Acer palmatum ‘Atropurpureum’ can add drama to a planting scheme, but they need to be used with care because too many dark-leaved plants can over dominate and look gloomy. GOLDEN leaves, like those of Choisya ternata ‘Sundance’ and Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Dart’s Gold’, can bring a shady corner to life with a bright glow. They draw the eye and make a statement, but, as with dark foliage, need to be used sparingly and intermingled with green foliage because they can dominate a planting scheme. SILVERY grey or glaucous blue foliage of plants such as lavender, Stachys byzantina, perovksia and Melianthus major add a cool note to planting and work well with pastel-coloured flowers. can also be GRASSES a rich source of colour over a long period, with the added attraction that the colours change with the seasons. Most grasses emerge in late spring and early summer with fresh green leaves, but as summer progresses these often fade to golden tones before turning parchment brown in autumn. Some grasses pack a particularly dramatic punch, with the fiery colours of Imperata cylindrica ‘Rubra’ and Anemanthele lessoniana, or the black leaves of ophiopogon.