The flower VS foilage contest will always be raging in my garden. Iris Japonica Iris japonica is my dream foliage plant. I pull existing clumps gently to pieces and poke the separate bits straight back into the soil. They always grow, even with no watering tio start them off. I like to use this plant for edging paths, and plant it right up to the rows of stones.
Many gardeners go through a variegated phase, often as they gain in confidence.
I used to hate the garish yellow and green shrubs I'd see in garden photos. I'd read so many times that these plants were somewhat vulgar, to be used with discretion. Salvia Black Knight Salvias grow well here in the free draining soil, and one of my favourite Salvias is Black Knight. I first saw this huge perennial in the back of the border at the Christchurch Botanical Gardens, and loved it's size and the deep purple-black flower colour. Gunnera Gunnera is a dramatic plant, and one which amazes visitors with small gardens.