9 Foliage Plants You Can’t Live Without

When you rely on foliage over flowers, a plant rarely experiences a “down period.” The following are all plants that play an important role in my garden’s composition.

See how Curtis utilizes this fabulous foliage in his immersive garden oasis

Name: Podophyllum pleianthum

Zones: 6–8

Size: 1 to 2 feet tall and wide

Conditions: Full shade; moist, well-drained soil

Native range: Northern China

This bold wonder has large, juicy leaves that cannot be ignored.

Name: Polystichum munitum

Zones: 3–8

Size: 2 to 4 feet tall and wide

Conditions: Partial to full shade; rich, well-drained soil

Native range: Western United States

Watching the upright amber fronds of our native sword fern unfurling is one of the great pleasures of spring.

Name: Hosta ‘Guacamole’

Zones: 3–9

Size: 3 feet tall and wide

Conditions: Partial to full shade; well-drained soil

Native range: Northeast Asia

Tucked in the cool shade of the brick courtyard, this hosta makes a statement with its bold outline.

Name: Pelargonium ‘Mrs. Pollock’

Zones: 11

Size: 1 foot tall and wide

Conditions: Full sun to partial shade; moist, well-drained soil

Native range: Europe

In fall many plants are past their prime, but ‘Mrs. Pollock’ geranium remains radiant until a hard freeze. This is a season’s worth of color laid out in gradients—red to chartreuse, pink to spring green.

Name: Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Lemon Daddy’

Zones: 6–9

Size: 3 to 5 feet tall and wide

Conditions: Partial shade; moist, well-drained soil

Native range: East Asia

I love the blushes of color on this chartreuse hydrangea, with its purple, pink, yellow, green, and lavender edges.

Name: Parthenocissus henryana

Zones: 6–9

Size: Up to 30 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet wide

Conditions: Partial shade; well-drained soil

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