Fantastic foliage

Bring drama to your garden with striking forms and colours

Phormium

This green-and-pink varietal of our native harakeke (flax) comes with sunset-tinted edges. When combined with complementary colours, such as pink roses or red penstemons, it creates a pleasing palette. As it grows to 1.8m high, leave space for it to spread out, and prune dead leaves in winter.

Hen & chicken fern

Also known as mouku, this easy-togrow native fern with dense clumps of feathery fronds is an appealing feature plant for a moist, shady spot. Its graceful, arching leaves, which grow up to 1m long, also look lovely cascading from pots – either indoors or in the garden.

Canna hybrid

This sun-loving perennial has paddle-shaped green and gold leaves, and large, orange-speckled golden flowers. It can cope with a variety of conditions but may die back in cooler areas, in which case cover the rhizomes with mulch or pot in a warm spot, to be planted out after Labour weekend.

Tractor seat

Named for the shape of its glossy green leaves, Ligularia reniformis will grow into an attractive 1m x 1m clump, with yellow flowers on long stems in midsummer. It can cope with full sun or partial shade but can also handle a damp spot. Protect it from slugs and snails.

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Like all flaxes, this varietal is drought tolerant and will cope with most conditions.

Plant in a sheltered spot, protected from wind and sun, in well-drained, humus-rich soil.

At up to this cultivar adds vertical impact and makes a statement planted en masse.

Its distinctive leaves provide instant interest, especially with contrasting plants.