When planning your garden, don’t just think about flowers—foliage can add incredible texture, color, and interest to your landscape. In Minnesota, where the growing season is distinct and varied, choosing the right foliage plants can transform your garden into a lush, vibrant oasis. Let’s explore some fabulous foliage options that thrive in our climate and offer year-round appeal.
Hostas (Hosta spp.)
Hostas are a quintessential choice for adding lush, green foliage to your garden. With their broad, variegated leaves, they come in a range of colors from deep blue-green to bright chartreuse, making them a versatile addition to any shaded area.
Why Hostas?
- Thrive in partial to full shade
- Low maintenance and resilient
- Varieties like ‘Patriot’ and ‘Sum and Substance’ provide striking foliage contrast
Golden Variegated Hakone Grass (Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’)
Golden Variegated Hakone Grass is primarily valued in the garden for its cascading habit of growth. It attractive grassy leaves are green in color with showy gold variegation. The foliage often turns tan in fall, and is perfect for adding a touch of elegance and movement to your garden.
Why Golden Variegated Hakone Grass?
- Prefers shaded to partially shaded areas
- Adds texture and softness to the garden
- Varieties like ‘Aureola’ and ‘All Gold’ are particularly eye-catching
Coral Bells (Heuchera spp.)
Coral Bells are known for their stunning foliage that ranges from deep purples to bright lime greens. They are excellent for adding color and contrast to your garden, especially in shaded areas.
Why Coral Bells?
- Thrive in partial shade
- Beautiful, colorful foliage throughout the growing season
- Varieties like ‘Palace Purple’ and ‘Lime Rickey’ provide dynamic visual interest
Ornamental Grasses
Ornamental grasses, such as Feather Reed Grass (Calamagrostis x acutiflora) and Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), add height, texture, and movement to your garden. These grasses are hardy and can withstand Minnesota’s diverse weather conditions.
Why Ornamental Grasses?
- Low maintenance and drought-tolerant
- Provide year-round interest with their structure and seed heads
- Varieties like ‘Karl Foerster’ and ‘Shenandoah’ offer unique foliage colors
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Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum)
For a touch of exotic elegance, Japanese Maples are an excellent choice. Their finely cut leaves and striking colors, ranging from deep burgundy to vibrant green, add a sophisticated touch to any garden.
Why Japanese Maple?
- Prefers partial shade to full sun
- Adds architectural interest and stunning fall color
- Varieties like ‘Bloodgood’ and ‘Crimson Queen’ are particularly popular
Brunnera (Brunnera macrophylla)
Brunnera, also known as Siberian Bugloss, is perfect for shaded garden areas. Its heart-shaped leaves are often beautifully variegated with silver, making them a striking ground cover.
Why Brunnera?
- Thrives in full to partial shade
- Provides early spring flowers followed by attractive foliage
- Varieties like ‘Jack Frost’ offer stunning silver markings
Lungwort (Pulmonaria spp.)
Lungwort is an excellent choice for adding unique foliage to your garden. Known for its speckled leaves and early spring flowers, it brings a touch of whimsy and charm to shaded areas.
Why Lungwort?
- Prefers partial to full shade
- Attractive, spotted foliage adds visual interest
- Varieties like ‘Raspberry Splash’ and ‘Silver Bouquet’ are especially attractive
Incorporating fabulous foliage plants into your garden design is a surefire way to add texture, color, and year-round interest. Whether you’re enhancing a shaded corner with Hostas and Coral Bells or adding movement with Ornamental Grasses and Golden Variegated Hakone Grass, these plants will thrive in Minnesota’s unique climate.
Visit Applewood Nursery & Landscape Supply to explore our wide selection of foliage plants and get expert advice on how to create a stunning, foliage-rich garden. Enhance your landscape today with the beauty and variety of fabulous foliage!