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Cottage Gardens

How Do You Add Color without Blossoms?

15 years ago

Please show what you use to add color and interest to your garden without blossoms?

Added color includes such things as caladiums, crotons and other bright foliage, found objects, lawn furniture, backgrounds, contrasting greens and variegation.

Thanks,

Nell

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Comments (4)

angelcub
15 years ago
Great topic, Nell!

I have several colorful birdbaths and birdhouse. And I love that plastic spray paint from Krylon. The plastic garden chair I painted blue with it hasn't chipped a bit so I've since used it on pots and the potager pond. It did chip off the potager pond - it's metal so should have used a primer first.

For foliage variation I have several sweet flag plants which give a pop of unexpected color among the roses and perennials. I also like the silvery color of stachys and many of the sages.

I'd add fence color to the mix, as well. Love my white picket fences but love a rustic fence for the cottage look, too. And natural stone around beds provides color and adds to the simplicity of cottage style.

Diana
aftermidnight Zone7b B.C. Canada
15 years ago
Except for the last few weeks when I did have a lot flowering, my garden is made up of mostly shrubs and perennials.
I rely on foliage color and texture for interest. DH just showed me how to put this slide show together, please excuse the weeds.
Annette

Here is a link that might be useful: Foliage Colors
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DYH
15 years ago
Annette, your foliage colors are really beautiful! I love the lushness.

I also rely a lot on foliage, even the foliage of perennials after they've bloomed. I blogged about this last week.

I like to use ornamental grasses, shrubs and goundcovers, too. Miscanthus grasses are my favorites due to the fountain shape. I use a lot of spirea (blooms, too) to keep some color going. Herbs like rosemary, lavender, bronze fennel, oregano and thyme are also used extensively through the garden.

Cameron

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Here is a link that might be useful: foliage
mystic_dragon72
15 years ago
I hope this thread keeps going for a long time and that a lot of you post photos... I'm drooling here and even though I'm in a colder zone than both of you I love the look you've both achieved in your gardens.

I can't wait until next year when I will hopefully be able to show off my efforts! :-)))

ttfn
Mystic.

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