Foliage Feast on GBFD

We've looked at what's in bloom this month and now it's time to see what foliage inspires. Christina is hosting Foliage Day at her site My Hesperides Garden.

This is the time of year that the foliage is at it's most lush, especially so after all the rain we've had.

Foliage on one plant contrasted with it's neighbour can make each plant appear more striking as with the Lovage (Levisticum officinale) and the feathery bronze Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)

The tiny purple leaved Geranium "Tanya Rendell" echoes the shape of it's larger neighbour the Astrantia major.

There is also the contrast between the formality of the box ball and the naturalistic planting of the Gunnera manicata and the Soloman's Seal (polygonatum hybridum)

New foliage is often more brightly coloured than the older leaves on the same plant. The new growth on this epimedium is a marble pattern tinged with pink while the older growth in the background is a duller green.

The green of the Griselinia littoralis in the background is a perfect foil for the fiery young growth of the  Rhus Typhina.

The glossy pointed leaves of the Cardiocrinum giganteum form a large rosette around the emerging  flower bud.

It's at this time of year that the heucheras really come into their own.  We only have these four but I could become quite addicted to collecting them and filling the garden with large swathes of each colour.

Next to the humble mint which comes in so many varieties. We have only two in our garden. The hairy young leaves of apple mint which makes great tea.

And the pink edged Russian mint looks pretty but I have yet to find a use for it except with new potatoes.

The shape and colour of the Astelia blades adds drama and definition to a border. The backs of the pointed, spear-shaped leaves look as though they have been dusted with silver.

The large coarse leaves of the Crambe cordilfolia betray it 's origins as  part of the cabbage family. It does look dramatic in amongst the surrounding greenery and the ghostly white uprights of the Betula jaquemontii.

But perhaps my favourite of all at this time of year are the unfurling fronds of the shuttlecock ferns (Matteucia struthiopteris). 

The plants are slightly badly behaved and need cut back from time to time. At the moment they are starting to grow up between the deck but I wouldn't be without that vibrant green especially in the spring.

Why don't you pop over to Christina's at My Hesperides Garden for a foliage feast.