Foliage: Astonishing Color and Texture Beyond Flowers by Nancy J. Ondra

by Nancy J. Ondra

Plant foliage brings drama and structure to the garden with color, shape, and texture all its own. Bright, cheerful flowers may have beauty-pageant appeal that gets noticed by passers-by, but where would all those pretty floral faces be without the stalwart presence of foliage? Every garden benefits from an inspired selection of plants chosen for the beauty of their leaves, and the harmony their presence brings to the entire landscape. Organized by color and texture, each chapter in Nancy Ondra’s eye-opening new guide illustrates the features and requirements of dozens of plants, all chosen for the unique appeal of their leaves. Colors range from brilliant chartreuse to stunning silver to dusky, moody maroon. Surfaces can be rough or smooth, velvety or prickly, and edges can be scalloped, smooth, or saw-toothed. With the stunning range of color and texture represented in Rob Cardillo’s rich photography, it’s easy to see how much season-long interest foliage can add to a garden. In addition to identifying and discussing beautiful plant possibilities, Ondra draws on her many years of gardening experience to present vivid plant combinations that work together to enhance and extend garden color. Knowing how and where to use foliage to complement flowers and grasses is as important as understanding the plants themselves. Flowers come and go, weather can kill blooms prematurely or prevent them from ever appearing, but sturdy, reliable foliage can be the gardener’s salvation, year after year.

Genres: Gardening

Paperback

First published March 28, 2007

About the author

I garden at Hayefield in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Now in its 23rd year, Hayefield includes about three acres of managed meadow and one acre of intensively planted garden and open shrubbery areas.

A freelance garden writer, editor, and photographer, I also sell home-grown seeds and blog about my favorite plants, combinations, and other gardening topics at http://hayefield.com/

Reviews

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this is a great book to teach gardeners how to really look at foliage and determine its attributes, I think one important aspect is missing and that is teaching gardeners how to make beautiful combinations. I would have liked recommendations for each plant on possible companions as far as color and texture combinations and similar growing conditions. Without these the book feels a bit like an encyclopedia which requires it to be used in combination with other gardening books. Despite its negatives, I highly recommend this book for all gardener's libraries!

[Debra Daniels-Zeller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book with stunning photographs and lots of ideas for pairing different plants together to have year round beautiful gardens. Lots of ideas for people who love plants!

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recommended by Laurie Weiss in her "Chocolate" talk for the master gardeners of Milwaukee County.

Packed with stunning color photographs.

Excellent book, worth buying.

Valuable resource for those trying to achieve special effects in the garden.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book. Want to own it someday, great reference!