With their delicate leaves and attractive coloring, the ornamental leaf perennials are real eye-catchers. They give the garden structure and can be staged effectively both in ensembles and as soloists. Even in the winter months, many evergreen varieties add a splash of color to the perennial bed. We will explain to you which winter-hardy decorative foliage perennials are suitable for the garden and give you useful care tips.
Abelie “Kaleidoscope”
No other shrubfulfills the tasks of privacy protection and decoration in outdoor areas better than the Abelie. The perennial has egg-shaped, shiny leaves with pointed ends. Its green color with a slight red tint makes the Abelia of the “Kaleidoscope” variety a real eye-catcher in the garden. The evergreen plant reaches a growth width of 100 cm to 150 cm and a height of 120 to 180 cm. From late June to early September it produces fragrant white flowers that attract birds and butterflies to the garden.
When it comes to care, the Abelia is rather undemanding. It thrives just as well in the sun as in partial shade, needs loose, well-drained and nutrient-rich soil and needs to be watered regularly. From the beginning of May to the end of September you also need to apply liquid fertilizer every two weeks.
The Abelia is cut-tolerant. If you want to prune it, you should do so in the spring before the flowering period begins.
Abelie “Confetti”
The Abelia of the “Confetti” variety has narrow, small and pointed leaves that are colored green in spring. In autumn the foliage turns reddish-brown. A location in partial shade proves to be optimal for them. Otherwise, it has similar soil and fertilization requirements as the Abelia “Kaleidoscope”.
Dieboth plantsare shallow-rooted and are therefore suitable both as accents in the perennial bed and for the container garden. They can easily withstand wind and snow and tolerate temperatures down to -20 degrees Celsius. To be on the safe side, the roots of the plant can be protected from frost with straw.
Western Tree of Life “Fire Chief”
The evergreen Western tree of life “Fire Chief” automatically attracts everyone’s attention with its attractive color. In spring its needles turn gold, in summer its round green crown forms the perfect background for cozy flowers and in autumn it enchants with its red-orange needle tips. The perennial exudes a pleasant, slightly spicy scent that keeps mosquitoes and flies away.
It is quite undemanding, can grow well in partial shade as well as in the sun, needs normal potting soil with a pH value between 4.4 and 5.5 and needs to be watered every two to three weeks. Winter protection is usually not necessary.
Sperrstrauch “Juliette”
The barrier shrub “Juliette” has shiny, elliptical leaves. Their color varies from light to dark green and they have a yellowish edge. If the shrub is in strong sun, the leaves may turn red. A slightly acidic soil and a sunny location offer the best conditions for rapid growth. The barrier shrub needs to be watered every two weeks. In spring you can also provide it with slow-release fertilizer. The plant is evergreen but does not produce flowers. It is ideal as an accent in the perennial bed in the front garden, but can also thrive as a container plant for several years. As a rule, the barrier shrub reaches a height of up to 3 meters.
Zimmeraralie “Spider Web”
The indoor aralia “Spider web” is a fast-growing shrub with delicate leaves that is ideal as both a houseplant and a garden perennial. A bright location and a permeable, humus-rich soil offer the best conditions for rapid growth. The evergreen perennial does not produce flowers. It tolerates a topiary cut in spring. During the summer months you should regularly check whether the soil is moist. It should never dry out completely. Even in the autumn and winter months, a moderate amount of water may be necessary.
Traubenmyrthe “Burning Love”
The grape myrtle “Burning Love” is a bushy shrub that impresses with its attractive foliage. In spring, the new growth turns fiery red, while the old leaves turn bright green. The evergreen plant also produces white flowers in early May. The flowering period lasts two months.
A location that is in the sun for half the day and in the shade for the other half proves to be optimal. The perennial requires humus-rich, permeable and slightly acidic soil. It should be watered moderately in summer. You should definitely avoid waterlogging. Waterlogging can lead to rot and rot makes the plant vulnerable to pests. Thehardy ornamental shrubtolerates a topiary.
Winterharter Lavender “Meerlo”
The lavender of the “Meerlo” variety impresses with its marbled, heavily cut, delicate leaves. The evergreen plant is the only one on our list that is only partially hardy. It can easily thrive at temperatures down to -6 degrees Celsius and can therefore also be grown in autumnstay outside. In the winter months you should put them in the greenhouse or garden house. The evergreen lavender requires a sunny location and well-drained soil. Before planting in spring, you can give the soil special liquid fertilizer. The perennial attracts birds and butterflies to the garden with its pleasant scent.
Klebsame "Mojo"
The sticky “Mojo” is an ornamental shrub with marbled leaves. The evergreen perennial thrives best in sunny locations. It requires fresh to slightly moist, loamy soil, has low water and fertilizer requirements and does not need winter protection.
Weigelie “Shining Sensation”
The weigela “Shining Sensation” presents an exciting color combination of intensely colored pink flowers and dark foliage. The flowering period begins in May and lasts two months. Even after that, the weigela is a real eye-catcher in the garden. Nutrient-rich soil and a partially shaded location ensure that the perennial thrives.
