Plant Combo with Layers of Foliage and Flowers Spring to Fall

Layers of lush, colorful foliage, in a mix of textures and color, provide interest spring to fall in this mixed border. With its reliance on foliage, this planting combination doesn't require fussy maintenance like deadheading. In fact the star of this vignette, Hydrangea serrata 'Preziosa', has a pleasing progression of color in its blooms and foliage; the flowers start out ivory, fade to pink, and intensify until they're deep crimson by fall; the foliage also takes begins to take on burgundy tones that gets richer as the season unfolds. A pleasing blue foliage echo bounces between Hosta 'Halcyon' and Rosa glauca, the interest further enhanced by their contrasting textures. Finely textured, golden foliage of the Japanese forest grass has a wonderfully relaxed and cascading growth habit and looks fantastic next to the bold, blue foliage of the hosta. Evergreen players in the scene include Astelia 'Red Gem' and Heuchera 'Plum Pudding' in the foreground, and Rhamnus alaternus 'Argentovariegata' provides the backdrop.

Growing Conditions

Zone: 8
Exposure: Open Shade, Filtered Sun, Morning Sun, Part Sun
Water Needs: Average

Design Considerations

Style: Northwest Eclectic, Woodland
Features: Varied Foliage, Texture, and Form, Fabulous Foliage, Flower Fest
Focus: Mixed Border, Pleasing Seasonal Flow
Seasons of Interest: Spring, Summer, Fall, Pleasing Seasonal Changes, Three Seasons of Interest

Care and Maintenance


Maintenance Level: medium



Plants In this Combo

  • Astelia nivicola 'Red Gem'

    Red Gem Astelia

    Type: Perennial, Tender Perennial
    Exposure: Full Shade, Part Shade, Filtered Sun, Morning Sun, Open Shade
    Zone: 8, 9, 10

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  • Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola'

    Gold Variegated Japanese forest grass

    Type: Grass / Grass-Like
    Exposure: Full Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade, Filtered Sun, Morning Sun, Open Shade
    Zone: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

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  • Heuchera 'Plum Pudding'

    Plum Pudding Heuchera, Coral Bells

    Type: Perennial
    Exposure: Part Sun, Part Shade, Filtered Sun, Morning Sun, Open Shade
    Zone: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

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  • Hosta 'Halcyon'

    Halcyon Hosta

    Type: Perennial
    Exposure: Full Sun, Part Sun, Full Shade, Part Shade, Filtered Sun, Morning Sun, Open Shade
    Zone: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

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  • Hydrangea serrata 'Preziosa'

    Preziosa Hydrangea

    Type: Shrub
    Exposure: Full Shade, Part Shade, Filtered Sun, Morning Sun, Open Shade
    Zone: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

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  • Rhamnus alaternus 'Argentovariegata'

    Variegated Italian Buckthorn

    Type: Shrub
    Exposure: Full Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade, Afternoon Sun, Morning Sun
    Zone: 7, 8, 9, 10

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  • Rosa glauca

    Red Leaf Shrub Rose

    Type: Rose, Shrub
    Exposure: Full Sun, Part Sun, Afternoon Sun
    Zone: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

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