Flowers come and flowers go throughout the season. Their colors are bright one day and fade the next. For non-stop color in the garden, you may want to consider the leaves of the plants more than the blooms. But what are 5 plants that have colorful leaves that are easy to grow? That question is easy to answer and the colourful leaves won’t disappoint you.
1. Caladiums
Caladiums come in a wide variety of leaf sizes and colors, and they thrive in shady garden locations. These adaptable plants will also thrive in full sun or partial shade. Their tropical-looking foliage lasts from spring until the first frost. The plants will reach a mature size of 24-inches (60 cm) tall and 12-inches (30 cm) wide. Plant several caladium tubers 6-inches (15 cm) apart to create a full bunch of leaf color. Hardy in zones 9-10 but can be grown in containers in sheltered areas in any growing zone.
2. Coleus
Coleus comes in an array of leaf colors, both solid and mixed. Colors like purple, red, orange, pink, and yellow adorn the leaves throughout the summer months. Coleus is an easy-care plant that will reach a mature size of 3-feet (90 cm) tall and 2-feet (60 cm) wide. The tops can be pinched out of the coleus to force the plant to develop more lateral growth. Plant in full or partial sun and keep soil moist. Hardy in zones 2-11.
3. Heuchera
These colorful leafed plants will add a pop of color to any garden. Heuchera is a hardy and low-growing perennial that produces leaves in a gorgeous assortment of colors that include red, chartreuse, purple, bronze, green, and silver. The colorful foliage is not one-dimensional, it can be speckled, splotched, or veined. Plant in full or partial sun and well-draining soil. Hardy in zones 3-9.
4. Ninebark
Dark purple, almost-black foliage makes ninebark a stand-out focal shrub for your garden. Ninebark is a hardy shrub that can withstand heat, drought, and winter cold. The shrub also has very few insects or disease problems. The shrub will reach a mature height of 3-feet (90 cm) and be equally as wide. Ninebark will develop ball-like heads of purplish-white flowers in mid-summer. Plant in full to partial sun. Hardy in growing zones 3-9.
5. Smoke Tree (smoke bush)
The smoke tree is prized for its large, blue-green, or purple leaves that turn red, orange, or yellow in the fall. This small tree will reach a mature height of 15-feet (4.5 m) and can easily be pruned and kept shorter. Plant smoke tree in full or partial sun. Hardy in growing zones 5-8.
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