While corn plants are not usually thought of as ornamental, the ears of Indian and strawberry popcorn make colorful decorations. Some ornamental corn has red stalks can be used in the fall for decorative yard displays. There are many types of ornamental corn available, including both large and miniature ears. Individual cultivars of ornamental corn should be isolated from one another and from sweet corn to prevent cross pollination. With its bright crimson stalks supporting crinkled red-veined, dark green leaves, rhubarb chard makes an attractive foliage plant.
Chard tolerates cold weather and frost as well as hot days in the summer.
It is an excellent pot herb when steamed and buttered like spinach or stir- fried in Asian dishes. The plants will quickly send up bright, glossy leaves which look nice and have a more delicate flavor than the older leaves. Look for cultivars with curly leaves to add texture to the border. By inter-planting with annual flowers, you can remove lettuce which is past its prime without leaving open spaces in the garden. Flowering kale comes in several color combinations and textures.