Exceptional Foliage Shrubs
Although flowers often take center stage when it comes to attractive ornamental plant features, some plants have leaves that are just as pretty. Foliage plants come in many forms, and their leaves often stand out for their textural effects and unique shapes. Read on to learn about a few of the best ones.
Holly
Holly shrubs are best known for their association with the winter holiday season. However, these plants look fantastic all year with broad evergreen foliage that has a sharp texture. These plants also produce bright red fruits that persist throughout the coldest months of the year.
Ninebark
Although ninebark shrubs come in several varieties, one of the most common ones is known for its deep purple foliage. These deciduous leaves stand out from the typical greens that you are used to seeing in the landscape. Ninebarks also have small white flowers that form in clusters at the end of the branches.
Oakleaf Hydrangea
Hydrangeas are best known for their flowers, but the oakleaf hydrangea offers much more than that. While the blooms of this plant are impressive, the leaves are just as eye-catching and give this plant its common name. These leaves have a true green color and an oak leaf-like shape. In fall, they turn an impressive reddish-orange color.
Gold Dust Plant
Gold dust plant, also known as Japanese laurel, is a plant that has some of the most elegant leaves that you can find in any garden. Those leaves each have an elongated but simple shape and are primarily green in color. Across those green leaves are golden speckles that appear scattered like dust.
Variegated Red Twig Dogwood
The leaves of a traditional red twig dogwood are not necessarily impressive. However, the leaves of the variegated variety have as much appeal as any other deciduous leaf. Variegated red twig dogwood leaves have a two-toned appearance consisting of irregular patches of light green and cream color. When the leaves drop, they reveal the vibrant red stems that this plant shows off in winter.
