FABULOUS FOLIAGE

Fantastic ferns

Ferns come in an amazing range of textures, colours, shapes and sizes and are ideal for planting in shady corners. Polystichum setiferum or soft shield ferns are a hardy and evergreen variety which are particularly good for giving winter interest in the garden.

Shaping up

Evergreens look smart and sophisticated when clipped into architectural shapes and hedging – think lollipop-style bay trees flanking a front door, or a path edged with clipped yew or box. These will look good no matter what the season but you can give them a festive edge in winter by decorating them with fairy lights.

3 OF THE BEST

Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Little Angel’

Commonly called ninebark, this one is less than half the height of most. It has coppery-orange shoot tips maturing to deep burgundy. H: 1m (3.3ft)

Grass class

Grasses are not only versatile but low maintenance, and autumn is a great time to plant them. This is because the soil tends to be warm and moist so plants become established quicker than in spring. Stipa arundinacea ‘Autumn Tints’ (above) is a feathery grass with a glowing autumn foliage.

shrubs for foliage

Luma apiculata ‘Glanleam Gold’

Gingery brown and greyish white bark is the winter highlight of this attractive slow-growing evergreen shrub. It has small white flowers from midsummer to autumn and leaves have a creamy edge tinted pink when young. Perfect in a sunny spot. H: 3m (9.8ft) Berberis thunbergii ‘Orange Sunrise’

Narrow and upright, new growth in spring is pink, then the leaves go a rich red with a golden rim before turning crimson in autumn. H: 1.5m (4.9ft)