We often rely on flowers for a range of summer color in the
garden. Occasionally, we have autumn color from foliage that turns red or
purple with cold temperatures. Another way to get that desired spark of
additional color is from plants with multicolored foliage.
Plants with Multicolored Leaves
There are several multicolored plants from which to choose.
Many of these plants with colorful leaves require a bit more attention when
placing them in the landscape. However, it’s worthwhile to get that additional
burst of various shades through the summer. Many have insignificant blooms that
can be clipped early to direct energy into producing the attractive foliage.
Here are a few examples of multi-colored foliage plants for
the garden:
Coleus
Coleus
is often added to part sun areas and is a great way to add unusual colors in
the flowerbed. Some have ruffled leaf edges, adding that extra spark of
interest. Multi-colored leaves include swirls, streaks, and splotches of
purple, orange, yellow, and various shades of green. Some types are solid
colors, and some have colored edgings. Usually grown as an annual, coleus
sometimes returns in spring or grows back from dropped seeds if allowed to
flower.
More recently developed strains of the plant can take more
sun than older varieties. Plant in dappled morning sun and keep the soil moist
for best performance. Trim coleus back for a shorter and more compact plant.
Cuttings root easily for more plants.
Dragon’s Blood Sedum
Dragon’s Blood sedum, a rapidly growing member of the stonecrop family, features tiny, intricate foliage that looks almost like flowers. This perennial plant dies back during cold winters but returns early in spring. At first leaves will be green, then edged with red. By late summer, the entire plant is dark red, leading to the name. Pink flowers bloom in summer, offering a nice contrast.
Stonecrop grows in hot, dry, and poor soil areas where other
plants won’t last. This specimen is perfect for containers or ground planting.
Caladium
Caladium
is an attractive plant with colorful leaves. It makes a statement in your shady
bed with early morning sun. Leaves are large, somewhat heart-shaped, often with
dark red veins. Splotches of green, white, pink, and red grow from tubers that
return happily in late spring and last until frost.
Grow these colorful plant leaves with spring blooming bulbs
to hide their declining foliage when blooms drop. Plant them in drifts for
greatest effect.
Smoke Bush
The smoke bush is just the plant for that sunny spot that begs for a colorful shrub or small tree. Leaves may be a bluish green or purple, depending on cultivar, and turn yellow, burgundy, or orange as the season progresses. This bush takes well to pruning, allowing you to keep it at an attractive height in your garden. This promotes new foliage growth and keeps the plant compact and attractive. Feathery flowers look like a plume of smoke.
We often rely on flowers for a range of summer color in the
garden. Occasionally, we have autumn color from foliage that turns red or
purple with cold temperatures. Another way to get that desired spark of
additional color is from plants with multicolored foliage.
Plants with Multicolored Leaves
There are several multicolored plants from which to choose.
Many of these plants with colorful leaves require a bit more attention when
placing them in the landscape. However, it’s worthwhile to get that additional
burst of various shades through the summer. Many have insignificant blooms that
can be clipped early to direct energy into producing the attractive foliage.
Here are a few examples of multi-colored foliage plants for
the garden:
Coleus
Coleus
is often added to part sun areas and is a great way to add unusual colors in
the flowerbed. Some have ruffled leaf edges, adding that extra spark of
interest. Multi-colored leaves include swirls, streaks, and splotches of
purple, orange, yellow, and various shades of green. Some types are solid
colors, and some have colored edgings. Usually grown as an annual, coleus
sometimes returns in spring or grows back from dropped seeds if allowed to
flower.
More recently developed strains of the plant can take more
sun than older varieties. Plant in dappled morning sun and keep the soil moist
for best performance. Trim coleus back for a shorter and more compact plant.
Cuttings root easily for more plants.
Dragon’s Blood Sedum
Dragon’s Blood sedum, a rapidly growing member of the stonecrop family, features tiny, intricate foliage that looks almost like flowers. This perennial plant dies back during cold winters but returns early in spring. At first leaves will be green, then edged with red. By late summer, the entire plant is dark red, leading to the name. Pink flowers bloom in summer, offering a nice contrast.
Stonecrop grows in hot, dry, and poor soil areas where other
plants won’t last. This specimen is perfect for containers or ground planting.
Caladium
Caladium
is an attractive plant with colorful leaves. It makes a statement in your shady
bed with early morning sun. Leaves are large, somewhat heart-shaped, often with
dark red veins. Splotches of green, white, pink, and red grow from tubers that
return happily in late spring and last until frost.
Grow these colorful plant leaves with spring blooming bulbs
to hide their declining foliage when blooms drop. Plant them in drifts for
greatest effect.
Smoke Bush
The smoke bush is just the plant for that sunny spot that begs for a colorful shrub or small tree. Leaves may be a bluish green or purple, depending on cultivar, and turn yellow, burgundy, or orange as the season progresses. This bush takes well to pruning, allowing you to keep it at an attractive height in your garden. This promotes new foliage growth and keeps the plant compact and attractive. Feathery flowers look like a plume of smoke.