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Using Foliage
As A Garden Feature
Gardeners tend
to underestimate the importance of foliage in garden design. It is
the characteristic that is on show most of the year and excluding
plant shape, has far more significance than flowers as it offers
both colour and texture.
The surface
quality or texture is largely dependent on leaf size. Large leaved
plants such as Bananas, cannas, and philodendrons have a coarse
texture, while small leaved plants like grasses, tea trees etc have
fine textures.
Plants with
bold foliage appear to advance towards us so in a plant grouping it
is wise to plant large leaved plants in front of fine leaved plants.
This helps maintain a sense of depth. A dramatic contract can b
achieved by grouping one large leaved plant with a collection of
small leaved plants. The reverse also applies.
In the wild,
leaf size is closely related to habitat. Tropical plants usually
have large, glossy leaves. This large leaf area is useful in poor
light conditions beneath a rainforest canopy.
In open sunny
situations in arid areas, fine leafed plants are the norm; the small
leaf surface tends to reduce moisture loss.
Make the most
of the endless variations of different green foliages. One can
create depth and interest in ones garden using different shades of
green; the lighter in the foreground and darker in the background
and mid-shades in between. This graduation will give you a greater
visual depth.
Deep green
foliage is the best garden backdrop as flowering plants and
sculptures will have the greatest impact against this background.
Purple and bronze foliages tend to recede so should be placed at the
rear of a shrubbery to accentuate depth. For sheer visual pleasure,
purple foliage with either pink flowers or foliage is very
satisfying. To illuminate dark corners of the garden, use light
coloured foliage to brighten it up. Grey, silver and gold foliage is
a very effective contract when used in this way. However, gold
foliage in bright light can be overdone, making the garden look even
hotter under sun-drenched skies. Gold surrounded by green foliage
and plants can be eye-catching but the impact can be lost with the
repetitive use of gold.
Purple and
gold mixed plantings are quite dramatic and do not use to excess.
Grey foliage
can be very beautiful and practical in garden design. Many drought
resistant plants have grey leaves so can be used in full sun spots
in the garden. Plants with stunning spring and autumn colours can
brighten up the garden as can deciduous trees and shrubs with
interesting stems and bark patterns.
So, don’t
forget the use of foliage plants in the garden – they add colour and
character. |
March 2005