Focus on Foliage

We, gardeners, are cheerfully seduced by flowers, whether with impulsive buys of plants already in bloom, or more controlled buys of plants to fit a specific design plan. In fact, most admit to planning a design around colour.

But even longest-lasting flower shows are temporary; foliage displays, on the other hand, particularly of evergreen species, are permanent. Trees and shrubs make up the long-term greenery of your garden providing the structure, form, line and natural elegance that pull together the various components of the garden into a cohesive whole. And looking at the plant’s qualities when it is out of flower is where should begin our designs. Flowers are crucial of course, providing pollen and nectar for birds and insects, but too often we forget about including the larger shrubs that are just as important to animal life cycles. Focusing on building your structure with foliage can help to change that. Small gardens, in particular, benefit from building up a layered framework of foliage rather than a single-minded focus on flowers.

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Most sections of the garden will need a green backdrop; larger species to flesh out the garden boundaries and as components of the internal framework, and smaller shrubs for lower-growing screens, to add height in a sunny bed, or as part of a shrubbery. 

The shrubs listed here, from small to large shrubs as well as a few small trees hold their shape through the year.

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The Choice hierarchy:

• Purpose: what do you want the plant to do? Is it to provide a privacy screen or windbreak, as an ornamental hedge or boundary screen, or to section off the garden into secluded areas, or build habitat areas like thickets, that offer food and shelter to animals?

• Evergreen or deciduous: do you need sun in winter or foliage year-round? Keep wildlife needs in mind.

• Existing: Look at what you already have, where you need to make changes or improve with new additions. Add species for contrast or to highlight an area or display. Close your eyes; when you open them, is your first impression one of a melding of bland green before your eyes focus once again on colour elements? Would large leaves or grey leaves add punch?

• Special: Do you need a focal point, a ‘star-performer’, something decorative or with a strong outline?

• Bonus elements: fruit and flowers provide functional support for local animals and add to the overall diversity of the garden. While form and good looks are the main characteristics, the bonus elements of fruit and flowers provide functional support for local animals and add to the overall diversity of the garden.