Beyond variations in the theme of green, we can work with foliage in other color ranges, as was done in this yellow border, seen at the Philadelphia Flower Show. Note the contrasts and echoes in leaf shape, as well as in color, that give this group of plants depth and texture.
Up at the top left, if you can see it, is a clump of Helichrysum petiolatum, pulling the "white" from the leaves of the center group, as well as adding a fuzzy leaf texture. The grass at the lower right brings in a contrasting leaf shape, while the tiny leaves of Lysimachia nummularia 'Aurea' at the front echo the larger rounded leaf shapes but provide a contrast in size. I'm not sure what these plants in the center and back are; the variegated ones look like Coleus, but may be something else. Any ideas anyone? Whatever they are, the combination works well. If you're looking for a way to brighten a dull corner, a grouping like this would sure fill the bill.
Another way to approach a color theme is to expand on colors that exist in one plant. This bit of an exhibit, also from the Philadelphia Flower Show, illustrates perfectly how to take the colors from one plant and use them to create a border. I don't know if this was what the designer actually did, but it sure looks to me like the colors in Plantago major 'Rubrifolia' (the purple leafed plantain) in the front of the border were used to create the entire color scheme.
I find this an extremely interesting group of plants. In the right foreground is, I believe, one of the sweet potato vines which brings out the purple in the plantain leaf. In mid ground is the annual Nemophila Menziesii 'Penny Black', which perfectly echoes the green of the plantain. Behind the Nemophila looks like a Heuchera (won't swear to this one). It and the Coleus at the far left rear pull both the purples and greens through the group. Between them is an extraordinary plant, Solanum atropurpureum. I'd never seen it before and found it both weird and fascinating. The stems are covered in fierce spines that also protrude from both upper and lower leaf surfaces (it's hard to see them in this photo). Although carrying through the color scheme, this child would be a tough one to work around!
A scheme from this end of the color spectrum absolutely requires a contrast, otherwise it fades away into the shadows. I'm mad about purple leaves, but I have discovered that they are somewhat difficult to place so that their true beauty can be appreciated.
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