Foliage: Astonishing Color and Texture Beyond Flowers

by Nancy J. Ondra

Velvety or rough, silver or chartreuse, saw-toothed or scalloped -- foliage can be the star of your garden. This comprehensive guide describes the features and requirements of dozens of leafy plants, each one perfect for mixing and matching with flowers and ornamental grasses in vivid home landscapes. Handsomely illustrated with hundreds of full-color photographs, Foliage will inspire you to look at leaves with fresh eyes. Winner of the 2008 American Horticultural Society Book Award.

Genres: Gardening

304 pages, 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!