Foliage Ups and Downs

‘Fluffy Ruffles’

We’ve mentioned in the past how foliage plants are valuable design tools that carry us through the down time between waves of flowering plants. Unlike blooms that eventually whither and die off, attractive leaves tend to retain their interest throughout the season. Today we're talking about two very different types of foliage plants: ‘Fluffy Ruffles’ fern and ‘Spike’ dracaena.

Charming plant

Even though bachelor’s button has some key qualities we look for in a summer plant—heat tolerance, drought tolerance, easy maintenance—we’d choose it on looks alone. That may sound shallow, but these little flowers possess a certain airy charm that belongs only to them.

Take ‘Li’l Forest™ Sugared Plum’ for example. These elf-sized puffs of deep purple look like they came off the roof of a gingerbread house. True to their name, they actually appear to have been dusted with sugar. 

Great accent

For a unique accent, fill a rustic pot or bucket with delicate ‘Sugared Plum’—the contrast is dramatic. We also like to use this variety en masse in a sunny border or bed. Expect plants to reach about 14–18 inches tall.

Pretty ‘Sugared Plum’ is available in the 8-inch pot.

Brilliant red color

‘Kingswood Torch’ adds an interesting dimension to this week’s foliage discussion: brilliant red color that lasts all summer in sun or shade. Actually the leaves are magenta-pink surrounded by a border of deep burgundy. Look closely—they’re outlined in gold. 

This durable variety is tall and upright— plants reach around 3 feet tall. For drama we add it to large mixed containers and plant it en masse in the border. Try pairing some with ‘Tiger Eye™ Gold’ rudbeckia—two hot colors for the hottest season.

‘Kingswood Torch’ is heat-tolerant and easy to grow. We keep an assortment of colorful coleus in the designer tool box—they’re great for brightening shade areas.

This selection comes in the 8-inch pot.‘Tiger Eye™ Gold’ comes in the 8-inch pot as well.