The Cottonwood’s downy seeds fell like snow. Drifting and swirling upon the air, some suspended momentarily as they sought the perfect landing place. Soon, they began to snag and accumulate. It was magical, slightly alarming, and a complete contrast to the summer heat.
Contrast, in the landscape, is an important, and frequently overlooked element. Foliage, for example, can be as interesting and unique as any flower. Sure, there’s lots of green out there, but there are also plants that bear silvery, chartreuse, maroon, apricot, or leaves with a lacey, white overlay. Let’s not forget about our variegated friends that offer multiple colors. It doesn’t stop there. Sometimes the undersides of leaves or even stems can be completely different. When a gentle breeze or hardy wind sweeps through the landscape, an entirely unique color and feature is exposed.
Contrast isn’t all about color either. Ever felt the fuzzy, velvety Lamb’s Ear, or the smooth, leathery leaf of a Succulent, or the feathery tufts of ornamental grass? Texture. It too can add to a plant’s overall character and pique your interest and imagination in the landscape.
As with color and texture, shape and size are yet other defining factors. Plants bear all different sorts of leaves, from small heart-shaped to large ovals, grass-like and everything in between. Foliage should always be a factor when choosing plants. Don’t simply write them off as second string players. After all, flowers only last so long, and we look to foliage to add life and interest to our landscapes.
It’s important to see the plant’s individual characteristics, appreciate their nuances and how their details add to the overall landscape. It’s amazing how, through a simple shift in thinking, the landscape becomes a more diverse and beautiful place. Reach out to Sweeney’s, and we’ll help you create a landscape that contrasts and compliments. We proudly serve the communities of Villa Park, Elmhurst, Oakbrook, Oakbrook Terrace, Glen Ellyn, Lombard, Wood Dale, Itasca, and more!
Sweeney’s: A Plant Based Company
Plant of the Week
Blue Shadow Fothergilla
Icy blue-green foliage emerges in Spring followed by honey scented, white, bottlebrush-type flowers. Foliage matures to shades of red, orange and yellow in Fall. Prefers sun to partial sun, and moist, well-drained soil. Grows 4-6′ tall and 4-6′ wide.
“...chaos of color, like a shattered rainbow…”
~G.K. Chesterton
Best wishes,
Kim Sweeney
Proper “siting” is also a crucial component to spectacular gardens.
You are absolutely correct! Well-sited plants are happier and healthier, and tend to flourish with little to no intervention.