Foliage as a background Yellow wood
Green growing things
There are so many shades of green
(probably more than 50!) that we’re
really spoiled for choice. Some great
indigenous options are the soft
green plumes of Elegia capensis,
the fine needle-like leaves of various
species of Asaparagus and the dark
green glint of shade-loving Mackaya
bella (also known as Asystasia bella). Contrast paler greens with lush,
dark green foliage such as that of
Barleria and don’t forget to add a
few cat tail ferns (Asparagus
‘Meyersii’) to the equation!
If you’re looking for big, dramatic
leaves, you should not forget that
Gnidia oppostifolia
Barleria repens Purple Prince
Clivias are very stately, even when
not in flower – and who can resist
having at least one or two Strelitzias in their garden? A rare species
known as Strelitzia juncea has spikylooking leaves that are really intriguing. Of course, Aloes have intriguing foliage as well as attractive
flowers – plant them in a spot
where they can steal the show all
year round.
Silver and Gold
While you’re thinking about your
green garden, you might like to create some exciting colour contrasts.
Silver and dark green make a particularly showy combination and from
Aloe ferox
Coleonema ‘Sunset gold’
succulents like the tough Othonna
capensis to the soft, wooly leaves of
Kooigoed (Helichrysum petiolare) or
the feathery foliage of the useful
Wilde Als (Artemesia afra) you
should be able to find a plant that
suits your needs in terms of foliage
colour, texture and growth habit.
Some of the Helichrysum like
H.cymosum add gold to the combination when they bloom – simply
delightful.
Most gardeners become a trifle
worried when they see golden foliage: is the plant sick? Does it need
feeding? But there are several
plants that naturally have lime-
Agathosma ciliaris