The large leaves may have touches of silver, purple and brown and varying shades of green, depending on the species. Small, flat lavender or white blooms appear throughout the summer. These perennials disappear in winter but return in greater numbers midspring. Variegated vinca major works well under large trees. The rounded, dark green foliage is mottled with yellow.
Leopard plant produces yellow flowers in the fall.
I've found this primula to be a short-term perennial, and it is available in shades of rose, pink, lavender and white. Dormant in summer, the foliage returns with cooler weather later in the year. Late spring-frost annuals for shade groundcovers include several coleuses and trailing torenia, which has deep, but bright blue blooms. Mail garden questions to Kathy Huber, Garden Editor, Houston Chronicle, P.O. Box 4260, Houston, TX 77210. The bulk of mail prevents individual replies to each letter.