Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Foliage Follow-Up: Summer Garden Foliage Combinations

July Garden Foliage

Foliage variation is an extremely important element in the garden and Pam at Digging hosts Foliage Follow-up each month on the 16th as a way to remind ourselves of the importance of foliage in the garden on the day after Bloom Day.   This is my first time joining in on this meme and I am very excited about sharing some of the foliage I have in my gardens.  Come along with me to take a look!
Heuchera, Sedge and Euonymus
One of my favorite combinations of texture is in the shade garden.  Here are Heuchera 'Palace Purple', Japanese Golden Sedge and Euonymus 'Gold Spot'.
Heuchera (Coral Bells) 'Palace Purple'
The 'Palace Purple' Heuchera has a unique foliage of its own and is used for just that.  Heuchera develops delicate blooms later in summer but is mainly known for it's deep burgundy leaves that last throughout the summer and into winter.
Dwarf Fountain Grass and Euonymus 'Emerald Gaiety'
Grasses always add grace and movement to the landscape.   I like to combine them with evergreens.  Seen here is Dwarf Fountain Grass 'Hameln' and Euonymus 'Emerald Gaiety' by my patio area.
Hosta and Juniper
Here I have hosta and Juniper next to one another...
Hosta and Sedge
and Hosta and a Variegated Sedge. I enjoy combining broad darker leaves with lighter colored, wispy grass-like foliage.
Hosta 'Maui Buttercup'
My new Hosta 'Maui Buttercup' made its debut in Garden Blogger's Bloom Day and is here again for its bright yellow foliage...
Heuchera Combination with Juniper
and here is Heuchera 'Caramel' (my favorite) combined with Heuchera 'Palace Purple' and Juniperus 'Gold Lace' for a little color contrast. 
Japanese Forest Grass Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola'
These Japanese Forest Grasses that I purchased years ago have matured into two foot wide clumps and are in front of a backdrop of the darker leaved Rainbow Leucothoe.  This area is mostly in shade with a little bit of dappled sun.
Japanese Painted Fern
Painted Fern is another plant that I purchased strictly for its beautiful blue-green foliage. It took some time for this to get established but once it did it formed a nice mass transitioning from the pool area to the shade area.
Miniature Fountain Grass and Blue Star Juniper Combination
Now into the sunnier section of the property there is Miniature Bunny Grass with Blue Star Juniper for a combination of blues and greens...
Stachys (Lamb's Ear)
and Lamb's Ear which is known for its soft white foliage.
Sedum Foliage
Sedum, even though is known for its bright pink blooms in August, exhibits an unusual succulent-like foliage that forms perfectly symmetrical clumps...
Lily Foliage

and I just could not leave out the July lilies.  Their grass-like foliage adds yet another variation of texture as well as movement to the garden. 

 I hope you enjoyed the foliage combinations in my July garden.  Thank you to Pam@Digging for hosting Foliage Follow-Up and be sure to check out what foliage others have in their gardens.  Also be sure to check out July Bloom Day.
 
As Always...Happy Gardening!


Author: Lee@A Guide To Northeastern Gardening, Copyright 2013. All rights reserved

11 comments:

  1. Lucky you to have your Jap forest grass to mature like that. I haven't seen it in a garden around here so full. I will have to wait until mine gets big. I wonder how many years it will take. They grow so slowly. Happy FF.

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  2. Lee - your combinations are fabulous! As beginner gardeners were all about the latest and the greatest flowers and shrubs but now after years of gardening, I too am much more interested in the textures of plants and how they mix and combine with one another.
    The other thing I have learned is to appreciate the many shades of green (once the blossoms have faded)….maybe there's an idea for both of us as a future post!

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  3. Lucky you to have your Jap forest grass to mature like that. I haven't seen it in a garden around here so full. I will have to wait until mine gets big. I wonder how many years it will take. They grow so slowly. Happy FF.

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  4. So glad to see someone else who likes Heucheras and Hostas and depends on them for interesting shade foliage. They're a favorite of mine too. Love Japanese forest grass too, you have some nice big clumps.

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  5. Beautiful textures and combinations!
    I like all the creative ways you use color with textures.
    Happy FF!
    David/:0)

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  6. I'm smitten by your chartreuse and dark-foliage combos. Hey, those lilies aren't bad either! ;-) Thanks for joining in this month for Foliage Follow-Up!

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  7. Great pictures, wonderful compositions, a garden is a magical place :) Regards

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  8. Gorgeous foliage combos - I love beautiful foliage! The euonymous, sedge, heuchera is probably my favorite too. And the juniper with heuchera is a great texture contrast too. Thanks for the ideas...

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  9. The Heucheras are so pretty. I recently moved some Palace Purple because it was too crowded among some Astilbe. It's getting more sun now than I wanted it to, so it's leaves are not quite as deep and shiny maroon-purple, but it's still doing OK. It definitely appreciates having more room!

    I've always thought the Autumn Joy sedum would make a lovely hedge!

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  10. The Palace Purples will adjust to more sun. I have some in a southeastern exposure with some afternoon shade. As long as they are getting plenty of water they should be fine. I also have some in an even sunnier spot and they have kind of a coppery look to them which adds even more of a mix of hues.

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  11. You really have some colorful and textural combos, Lee. I like how you use the grasses.

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Thank you for visiting. I love reading your comments and knowing you have been here, and will try to reciprocate on your blog. If you have any questions I will try my very best to answer them. As always...HAPPY GARDENING!