The tropics and subtropics are the native habitat of begonias. Some are grown for the vibrant blossoms they produce to add colour to shady garden areas, while some are grown for their asymmetrical, patterned, and variegated foliage.
Pachysandra grows slightly shorter than Liriope spicata, which matures to a height of around 1 foot. Yet whereas Liriope has leaves that resemble grass, Pachysandra has squishy, oval leaves. Liriope produces lovely, spiky white or lavender flowers, but its most notable feature is its foliage. Its adaptability—it may be placed in full sun or partial shade—may be its greatest asset.
Pachysandra and Liriope are less impressive choices than foamy bells and the related coral bells. Heuchera and Tiarella, two separate genera of plants, were unusually hybridised to create the first foamy bells. Plant breeders have now created a variety of varieties that bear leaves that are breathtakingly beautiful. For instance, "Sun Power" foamy bells show amazing golden foliage.
Another plant with vivid leaves is artemisia. But in this instance, the colour in question is found in the tiny, delicate, fern-like leaves, which are varied colours of greenish silver. 'Silver Mound' is the most popular cultivar in this species. The hardiness range of different species varies somewhat, so be sure to pick one that is rated for your area.
A broadleaf evergreen subshrub with a width of a little more than one foot, wall germander has a height of around one foot. You can use it much like you would a little boxwood, which has a similar appearance, with its small, lustrous, dark green leaves with toothed edges: To create a short, decorative hedge in a limited space, plant it in a row.
Tricolor sage bushes do produce violet-colored blossoms, but their variegated leaves are what attracts people to them. The younger leaves on this perennial herb are purplish, while the elder leaves tend to be green in the middle with an uneven white edge. Some plants with foliage are also aromatic
Hostas do blossom, but since they are such wonderful foliage plants, we frequently remove the blooms so that we can focus on the leaves. Even though hostas are considered perennials, many people treat them as small shrubs when using them in the landscape. For example, they may be utilised as flower bed edging plants.
Even homeowners in the north incorporate elongated heart-shaped elephant ears into their landscaping plans. They treat these plants as annuals by digging up the bulbs in the fall and storing them for the winter or by purchasing fresh bulbs each spring. These plants that cling to the ground have large, three-foot-long leaves that are crinkled and glossy green.
Another tropical plant is papyrus. Papyrus is a sedge with triangular stems that have tufts of thin, grass-like leaves, while seeming like an ornamental grass. Papyrus was once grown to create paper, but it today frequently serves as the focal point of a water garden. Papyrus plants are invasive in some of the hottest states in the U.S.; elsewhere, they will die back after an autumn frost and are best handled as annuals.
Ferns are a traditional selection for shade. They may be clearly identified as a group because to the fine, lacy leaves that stretch out from the long, arched stems. Yet, these old plants are not usually confined to shaded places. It is possible to grow interrupted fern in an area that receives a lot of sunlight all day long, including in the afternoon.