Using Leafy Plants To Fill and Frame. P lanning for our yard and garden is an opportunity to create textures, colours, and scents. The sight of pearl-like raindrops sparkling like a miniature pool on a caladium leaf, the sun gleaming through translucent leaves and soft wind gently waving ferns , though these are often taken for granted, they are a treat for all the senses. Foliage is the base in your plans because it is the element that generally lasts the longest. It is most commonly used to obtain a neutral background, but it can do much more than that.
Foliage can fill a spot that seems dry or empty.
It can also be tailored to areas that are sandy, infertile, dark, wet, or prolong the season of your garden. Often it just lasts for a season, leaving a gap in your flower beds that weeds may take advantage of. When the flowers are gone, most leafy plants last for two or three seasons, though some may last all year. They will protect your beds from invaders, make gardening easier, and please the eye. The effects can be phenomenal.