Everyone loves colour in the garden, but it’s really difficult to have a colourful garden all year long if you rely on just flowers. Think of the research and planning you’d have to do to make sure there was something in flower every day – most people simply don’t have that sort of time to spare. What to do? Well a good alternative is to create a garden of foliage plants. Don came across an interesting example in Sydney’s Centennial Park recently, where a roundabout is filled with plants which provide permanent foliage and colour contrast, but very few flowers. In the centre is a group of ponytail palms (Beaucarnea recurvata), surrounded by swirls of golden oregano (Origanum vulgare ‘Aureum’), a purple variety of tradescantia (Tradescantia sp.) and red bloodleaf (Iresine herbstii).
Getting started:
The best thing to do is visit your local nursery. The horticulturists there will be happy to help you choose some colourful foliage plants suitable for your situation and climate.