Put fabulous foliage perennials up front

Perennials with striking foliage add a strong presence that doesn’t fade as quickly as floral finery can. Leaves linger all season long, weaving steady notes of color, texture and interest. Put these wonderful plants up front in store displays — either by themselves or combined with complementary flowers, hardscape and containers — and watch your sales increase in several areas.
 

Think color and texture

Combining plants based solely on foliage texture and color takes a bit of an artistic eye, but the results can be stunning and provide inspiration for customers.

Displays should always include plants with similar growing requirements — plants that require the same exposure to sun or shade and ones that share a preference for wet or drier soil. Work within a color theme and don’t be afraid to feature simple combinations of just a few species or colors. Something as simple as a grouping of plants with different textures and shades of green can be stunning. Throw in some plants with white variegated foliage and you have created a classic.

To make plants stand out, position small foliage species next to ones with large leaves and set them off with highlights of purple, bronze or purple variegated plants.
 

Think large-leafed hostas fronted with purple heuchera and highlighted with white-striped liriope, Japanese painted fern or dead nettle.

For height and depth, use trees and shrubs like Japanese maple or loropetalum as background. Don’t overlook one of gardening’s hottest trends: growing dark-leafed plants like ‘Dark Knight’ canna, ‘Velvet Night’ coral bells, or ‘Blackie’ sweet potato vine. In gardens or containers, deep-hued leaves stand out, displaying non-stop drama. Pair dark hues with lighter colors such as pink, lavender, white or bright green. Dark leaves also dazzle alongside plants with leaves in metallic tints, like gold, bronze or silver.

Add the perfect pot

The right colored ceramic container can turn even common plants into pieces of art. By creating combinations in large pots or placing individual plants in smaller ones, you’ll sell more pots and potting soil. For example, try ‘Tropicanna’ canna by itself in an orange or black glazed pot. Up the impact by adding light green and black varieties of sweet potato vine around the outside of the container.
 

Throw in some flowers

Don’t forget what foliage plants can do for bloomers, highlighting them like a supporting actor does the leading star. Stick to the color theme, but throw in a few eye-catchers of spectacular flowering plants such as roses, hydrangea or hibiscus.
 

Other strategies

Set your display on pavers that complement the foliage to show how these plants will actually look in garden situations. Do the same with appropriately colored patio furniture or other garden amenities such as fountains and artwork.

Lance Walheim is a Bayer Advanced garden expert and author of Lawn Care for Dummies. Julie Martens, a Bayer Advanced contributor, also contributed to this article.