I was reading an article in a magazine about a man who did not like planting spring flowering shrubs and trees into his garden because they only bloomed for a week to ten days. Afterwards he was left with a blob of boring green leaves that took up valuable garden space.
I can relate to his criticism of humdrum green plants that add very little value to the landscape. I strongly dislike Boxwood. The shrubs with leathery olive green leaves are the very essence of common and mundane. When I first purchased my home, the very first thing I did was to chop down and dig up two boxwood shrubs on opposite sides of my front steps. If Boxwood has any redeeming qualities, it might be because they are evergreen and easily trimmed. Gardeners who enjoy making topiaries often use Boxwood because they are easily clipped to form various shapes. I swore Boxwood would never be planted in my garden again. But, then one day I saw this wonderful shrub with crisp green and white variegated leaves. When I read the label I was shocked this beautiful shrub was a variegated leaf variety of Boxwood. Now I have two of these variegated evergreens. They easily trimmed like the original, and are stunning year round!
Lilac is a beloved spring shrub with huge sweet blooms. It is wonderful for a few days, but once the flowers fade, you are left with a big green uninspiring shrub. A few years ago I discovered a variegated leaf Lilac. In the spring it has its sweet lovely blooms, and after they are finished blooming the shrub with green, lime green and yellow leaves graces and brightens the garden for the rest of the growing season!
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Forsythia is renowned for its bright cheery lemon yellow blossoms in early spring. A Forsythia in bloom is a delight to see. My parents used to have their long driveway up a hill flanked by Forsythia shrubs. But the blooms are short-lived, and after the blooms are gone, uninteresting green shrubs are left behind. Thankfully there are many varieties of variegated leafed Forsythia available. My favorite is a variety with a green starburst in the middle of the leaf surrounded by bright yellow. The shrub, even when not in bloom glows in the garden all summer!
Dogwoods are much admired for their large white or pink blooms smothering the small tree in early spring. But like all the rest, the flowers are short-lived, and afterwards the small green leafed tree adds little excitement to the garden. But it is far more dramatic to plant a variegated form of Dogwoods. There are various cultivars of variegated Dogwood trees. Some have green leaves swirled with white and pink. A favorite of mine is, ‘Wolf Eyes,’ a green leaf with a strong white edge.
Who can resist the sweetness perfume of a Crabapple tree in full bloom? But again after the flush of color, the tree is just another green tree. Crabapples can be found with various hues of purple, burgundy, and reddish leaves, that in some cases are almost just as beautiful as a tree in bloom!
The rosy flowers of a Redbud is a favorite spring flowering tree. As I have mentioned in other articles the Redbud tree can be found with purple leaves, variegated white and green swirled leaves, golden leaves, and various forms of weeping trees that are a real knockout in the garden.
Many of the beloved shrubs and trees can be found with colorful leaves. While Japanese Maples are small non-blooming trees, they are available in a huge selection of multi-colored and interesting leaf forms. Two of my favorites are ‘Kumo Moi Nishiki’ with green leaves and heavily variegated white splotches that resemble clouds, and ‘Orido Nishiki’ with variegated white and green leaves trimmed in pink.
Many favorite shrubs and trees can be found with colorful foliage that lasts long after the blooms fade. So don’t get stuck with bland, blah green plants, put some electrifying pizzazz into your garden!
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