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Bold Foliage Large leaves create a subtropical feel to an English Garden. There are trees, shrubs, herbaceous perennials and climbing plants that have some bold foliaged plants within their groups. A few herbaceous perennials that I would like to mention such as, Gunnera manicata which is suitable for wet ground. In moisture retentive soil in semishade, you could try Rheums or ornamental Rhubarbs. Register for FREE if you have not already registered and then click HERE to create a NEWTOPIC and tell us about your favourite shrubs?
One of my favourite varieties is a form called Rheum palmatum Atropurpureum, which has deep purple foliage when unfurling and not quite so dark as it fully opens. This is a truly spectacular form. Rogersia, again is okay in wetter soils and is well worth planting. Some varieties such as Rogersia podophylla have tall white flower spikes in the summer and a fantastic autumn colour to its foliage. The end of the leaves, are shaped a bit like the roof of a house, quite different!! For those of you who want the bold look in the edible area of the garden, consider rhubarb for eating and if sheltered enough, try the out door banana called Musa Basjoo. In the tree world it is worth planting Paulownia tomentosa also known as The Foxglove Tree. It’s leaves are nearly a couple of feet across, as you will see when you give it a hard pruning every winter. There is also the Indian Bean Tree, having a Latin name of Catalpa bignonioides. Another variety is a gold version which is called Catalpa bignonioides Aurea. There is a white form called Catalpa bibnonioides Pulverulenta. Magnolia spregneri also has sizeable foliage. In the shrub world there is Fatsia japonica or the Castor Oil Plant to consider for planting under trees. There is also Ilex castanaefolia all the Chestnut Leaved Holly, capable of a much wider range of positions in the garden. A choice collectors plant for acid soils in semishade, would be Rhododendron macabianum. A couple of climbing plants for you to consider would be, Vitis coignettae. This is an ornamental deciduous vine with very vigorous abilities, you would love autumn colour. The Ivy with bigger leaves varieties such as Hedera canariensis Gloire de Marengo has strong white margins to the green leaves. Hedera colchica Sulphur Heart aka Paddy's pride is wonderful too. Both the varieties of Ivy mentioned get quite vigorous with age. This is just a taster of some of the plants that can offer a real statement near more feathery foliage. Good luck!! Register for FREE if you have not already registered and then click HERE to create a NEWTOPIC and tell us about your favourite shrubs? |
