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Foliage To The Rescue! Using Leafy Plants To Fill and Frame.

© Nathalie Gignac Henderson

(part 1 of 2)

Planning for our yard and garden is an opportunity to create textures, colours, and scents. The sight of pearl-like raindrops sparkling like a miniature pool on a caladium leaf, the sun gleaming through translucent leaves and soft wind gently waving ferns, though these are often taken for granted, they are a treat for all the senses.

Foliage is the base in your plans because it is the element that generally lasts the longest. It is most commonly used to obtain a neutral background, but it can do much more than that. Foliage can fill a spot that seems dry or empty. It can also be tailored to areas that are sandy, infertile, dark, wet, or prolong the season of your garden. All gardeners know that what we plant doesn`t always last for long. Often it just lasts for a season, leaving a gap in your flower beds that weeds may take advantage of. When the flowers are gone, most leafy plants last for two or three seasons, though some may last all year. They will protect your beds from invaders, make gardening easier, and please the eye. The effects can be phenomenal. Let's look at a few of the options we have.

Use foliage to frame a statue, a pond, a piece of furniture, or even a lovely view, anything that you want to bring to the fore. Designers frequently apply framing techniques (focal point) for garden entries and it is used to bring attention on an specific area. Foliage is a major ingredient, use it to your advantage. Plant in groups for a better effect. Foliage plants can also be in containers that can be moved into your yard or patio to add interest to a location. Containers also allow apartment dwellers to have a bit of shade and greenery. A yard or garden that places too much emphasis on flowers can produce a disappointing, overloaded effect. So let's put some greenery between them, fill the spaces and frame these flowers you enjoy so much. That way, your flowers will have more depth and be more colourful.

Plants for colour
Foliage can provide a wide range of effects. It can be peaceful or restful, incorporating different shapes and shades, or audacious and exciting with coloured or variegated foliage. Combinations of purple/blue or red/orange/yellow create peace and harmony. For a dramatic impression, red and green, purple and yellow or blue and orange will serve you the best, but should be used with restraint if they are to be mixed together, the result would be chaotic and annoying. For a spicier, stronger effect, bronze/purple/jade are used, preferably in moderation due to the vibrant colours.

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