Our pick of the best foliage plants

Hosta ‘Sum and Substance’ Growing in sun or shade this useful hosta has huge yellow-green leaves, which stand out in a border. H75cm (30in) S1.2m (4ft) Athyrium niponicum ‘Ursula’s Red’ Two-toned fern with silver and purple prominent in younger fronds. Moist soil; full or part shade. H40cm (16in) S1.2m (4ft) Phormium ‘Maori Sunrise’ Arching sword-shaped leaves striped bronze, salmon and gold. May need winter protection. Sun or part shade. H90cm (3ft) S1.5m (5ft) Cotinus ‘Grace’ In autumn, the oval, purple-lined leaves turn vivid red. Fluffy flower plumes give rise to smoke bush name. Full sun. H6m (20ft) S5m (16ft) Asarum europaeum Wild ginger with glossy heart-shaped leaves gradually provides evergreen groundcover in moist, shady spots. H15cm (6in) S30cm (12in) Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’ Fast-spreading golden creeping Jenny is a groundcover plant for moist soil with small, round gold leaves. H8cm (3in) S5m (16ft) Heuchera ‘Obsidian’ Glossy maroon leaves that darken with age. Useful for evergreen foliage and ground cover in sun or part shade. H45cm (18in) S30cm (12in) Melianthus major Architectural plant with serrated greygreen summer leaves. Full sun; dry winter mulch; cut back near base each spring. H3m (10ft) S2m (6½ft) Santolina chamaecyparissus Remove yellow cotton lavender flowers to keep natural mounding shape of silver foliage. Needs sun. H50cm (20in) S1m (3ft 3in) Musa basjoo Enormous paddle-like leaves up to 3m (10ft) long. Needs rich soil, a sunny spot with midday shade and winter protection. H5m (16ft) S4m (13ft)