There are a large number of great foliage plants. Many have wide varieties. But I have only a few in my garden that I consider my favorites. Today I want to address the family of “other” plants to use for color, shape and textural interest. I decided to put them together since they are less widely used. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t an abundance of information available.
To begin, a family known as Araceae. They certainly can start a conversation with their foliage. Within this genera you will find plants such as: Alocasia, Arisaema, Caladium, Colocasia, Dieffenbachia and Philodendron. This family, often referred to as elephant ears, is full of large, colorful or textural foliage. The family is often rhizomes or tuberous. They generally will have a bloom that appears partially enclosed. It is actually a bract. The first, from this family, I want to write about is the genus known as Caladium. They grow from a tuber, which can be divided for additional plants. These tubers, also known as corms, should be dug up before the first frost and stored in a dry area. Below is a photo of the tuber and beginning sprouts. One important note is that this plant is poisonous. Do not consume any part of it. Caution should be taken when handling caladium. Some gardeners, with sensitive skin, may find it irritates the skin. It is best to wear gloves when handling.
It’s easy to see its relationship with Dieffenbachia, and shape foliage of the Philodendron; both widely known house plants. They too can be used outdoors during the summer in shaded areas.
Split leaf philodendron to campare
The Caladium has an arrow or heart shaped foliage that includes a great range of colors. I grow them in containers located on my paver patio or deck. They typically do very well in moist soil. In this photo are four varieties.
Caladium are often bi-color and in some cases tri-colored. The red and green is ‘Florida Sweetheart’. The white with green veining, in the foreground is ‘White Christmas’. The large green with white veins and dots of pink is known as ‘Hearts Desire’. The pink is called ‘Pink Splash’. Below is a photo of ‘Candyland’, showing white foliage with a green border and flecks of dark pink tones.
Just check out this site to see what a wide variety you can get in color.
https://www.google.com/search?tbm=isch&q=caladium+bulbs&backchip=online_chips:candidum+caladium&chips=q:caladium+bulbs,g_3:white,online_chips:leaves&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj-6azqn_jaAhUlwVkKHUgNC4gQ4VYIJygB&biw=1920&bih=949&dpr=1
When we say elephant ear, we most likely think of the enormous foliage of the Alocasia or Colocasia. These are often planted just for that impact of the foliage. I usually have them located in my pond. They do so well there. I’m sure many of you have seen that large round blub in the nursery centers. They do make a statement that is hard to ignore.
Here is a photo of the one I have for my pond this year. The name is Alocasia Masquerade ‘Mayan Mask’. Notice the bottom side of the foliage is dark red, while the top is green. The texture of this plant is also stunning with the thick light color veining and ruffled edges. The foliage is gigantic. The one leaf is 18” across and at least 24’ in length.
That’s a large impactful family of plants. They can add an exotic feel to your garden. Take some time and search on the internet for this plant. Make sure you check for ‘Mojito’ which has those spotted and flecked foliage in a deep purple with green base coloring. It’s a spectacular foliage plant.
Another favorite colorful foliage plant is garden croton or also known as variegated croton. The stronger the sun the more brilliant the color. Colors of red, orange, yellow and greens all on
the same plant or varieties with just two tones are available. Codiaeum variegatum, is a tropical plant so it needs to be cleaned and taken into the home as the weather get cold. It is a great house plant and will brighten any area in the home. It can tolerate light shade or partial shade as well. Here it’s shown in the background along with a coleus. 
I also use it with Canna Tropicanna. The foliage coordinate so nicely with one another as shown in the photo below.
Flowering kale, also known as ornamental cabbage, is a great attraction in the garden. I use it in flower boxes. It can be planted into the ground as well. Watch out for those bunnies. They love the tender leaves. They are edible, however, they really are grown for the rosette shape foliage. There is a wide range of colors available. I tend to go to the blue and lavender tones. They also are available in all green and all purple tones. They make a great impact for fall interest as well. They don’t seen to mind that colder temperature and will often last through Michigan weather as low as 5 degrees. Frost seems to brighten it’s color…but a sudden cold snap may be fatal.
An early bloomer in the spring is Pulmonaria. It’s commonly known as Lungwort. Its bloom of blue, purple and pink clusters of small flowers come out in spring then fade away. However, the mound of freckled foliage last all summer.
Ligularia likes wet soils in part shade to full shade. It like to be sheltered from the wind. The foliage is interesting and large. There are many genus with a variety of leaf shapes. This photo shows the one in my garden. It does get a rocket type flower in spring, but like most prennials the bloom fades but leaves the foliage for interest. 
Next, let’s take a look at a few grasses (Fescue). Talk about winter interest…here are some photos Gail shared with me of the grasses she has during winter.
My best guess is the this is a pampas grass.
I am not sure what one is in the photo below, but maybe Gail and name it in a comment for us. 
I use a wide variety throughout my garden. I’m sure you may recognize some of these, including blue festuca, Cherry Sparkler,and purple fountain grass. I enjoy both annual and prennial grasses. I use them often around my pond, in containers, and in vertical gardens. They add such great texture with their color and thin blades of foliage. Here are a few photos for ideas on how you can use them as well. 
Another annual that you will find useful is sweet potato vine. I buy it in all the foliage colors and variety. Here are a few photo of them. In he photo below are two with same shape leaf but different color. But you will find a wide variety in shapes and colors on the market.
Try some tropical plants. Below is Dwarf Red Banana tree along with a cateracterum palm. That purple you see to the left of the banana is Persian shield. It gives a great pop of color. 
There are so many great plants out there. Extend your variety. It’s easy to fall into the common annual flat trap…but try something new. Add a great houseplant, tropical, or perennial you haven’t seen before. You might be surprised at how much you enjoy the color and texture beyond the bloom. This is the final post for this series. It has been great to share some of my favorite plants that I use in the garden. I hope you enjoyed them.
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Monroe County Master Gardener Association 