For the love of leaves

Combining the varied colours leaves and textures of these dramatic foliage plants in a pot is not only a good investment in year-round beauty but also a clever way to add bright colour to a shady corner.

Gather Together

1 x AUCUBA Japonica ‘Crotonifolia’ (Japanese Laurel)
1 x SOLENOSTEMON Scutellarioides ‘Juliet Quartermain’ (Coleus)
1 x CAREX Hachijoensis ‘Evergold’ (Sedge)
1 x BERGENIA Cordifolia (Heart Leaf )

More about these Plants with Dramatic Leaves

1. Aucuba Japonica ‘Crotonifolia’ is most valued for its tolerance of dry soils, pollution and salty wind and its hardiness to cold climates. It is evergreen, loves shade and will grow about 1,5m high, with a spread of 1m.

2. Solenostemon Scutellarioides ‘Juliet Quartermain’ is just one of the many extremely colourful Coleus hybrids that are available in nurseries. The plant is evergreen, perennial and will grow in shade. It is, however, tender to cold and frosty climates.

3. Carex Hachijoensis ‘Evergold’ is a clump-forming ornamental grass with narrow, curving leaves that are yellow with green edges. It will grow in full sun or shade and is hardy. Its mature size is 20cm x 30cm.

4. Bergenia Cordifolia is a herbaceous perennial with large, round, mint-green leaves. It bears masses of pink flowers from late winter to spring. It is evergreen and very hardy and apart from being an attractive specimen for pots, it is also useful as a border plant for shady beds. It grows to about 30cm x 30cm.