7 New Plants for Beautiful Foliage All Season

A flower-based garden is beautiful briefly, but foliage holds the design together across seasons. Trees, shrubs, and perennials form the picture frames enhancing ephemeral blooms. With many beautiful new introductions, you'll find just what you need. These are personal favorites, most tested in my own garden and containers.

Creme Fraiche Deutzia (Deutzia graciis 'Creme Fraiche')

Crisp green and white variegation breaks up green expanses. White spring flower clusters are a bonus. Just 2 feet tall and wide—fits smallest spaces.

• Hardiness: -20°F (zones 5–8)
• Water: Average
• Light: Full sun
• Size: 1–2 feet tall and wide
• Benefits: Deer resistant
• Seasonal interest: Spring to fall
• When to plant: Spring or fall
• Distinguishing traits: Variegated foliage; white spring flowers
• Planting notes: Plant in groups for sparkle or as filler in large containers; moisture-retentive, well-drained soil; prune after bloom to shape

Persian Spire Persian Ironwood (Parrotia persica 'Persian Spire')

Beautiful columnar tree for narrow spaces—stays reliably columnar at maturity. Spidery red late-winter flowers, foliage emerges with purple glow transitioning to green with purple margins. Most colorful in fall: shades of purple, orange, red for weeks.

• Hardiness: -20°F (zones 5–8)
• Water: Average, drought-tolerant once established
• Light: Full sun or partial shade
• Size: 25 feet tall, 10 feet wide
• Benefits: Low maintenance
• Seasonal interest: Year-round
• When to plant: Spring or fall
• Distinguishing traits: Exceptional foliage; columnar growth; unusual flowers
• Planting notes: Enjoy young in containers, transplant later; perfect for narrow gardens or vertical punctuation; moisture-retentive, well-drained soil

Anna's Magic Ball Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis 'Anna's Magic Ball')

Irresistible little ball of golden fluff. Adds sparkle in semishade, resists burn in sun. Conifers provide winter interest—this one's no exception.

• Hardiness: -40°F (zones 3–7)
• Water: Average
• Light: Full sun or partial shade
• Size: 10–15 inches tall and wide
• Benefits: Low maintenance
• Seasonal interest: Year-round
• When to plant: Spring or fall
• Distinguishing traits: Evergreen; resists sun scald; compact mound
• Planting notes: Deep, well-drained soil; rock garden or front of border; great in containers

Sunjoy Tangelo Barberry (Berberis thunbergii 'Sunjoy Tangelo')

Exotic color: rich orange foliage with distinct chartreuse margin. Fiery fall color. Disease resistant. Note: Check if barberry is invasive in your area before planting.

• Hardiness: -30°F (zones 4–8)
• Water: Average to low; drought-tolerant once established
• Light: Full sun
• Size: 3–4 feet tall and wide
• Benefits: Deer resistant; low maintenance
• Seasonal interest: Spring to fall
• When to plant: Spring or fall
• Distinguishing traits: Rich orange with chartreuse margin; fiery fall color; disease resistant
• Planting notes: Loose mounding shape—middle or back of border; combine with lime and purple foliage/flowers; well-drained soil; prune for size in early spring if desired

Glow Girl Birchleaf Spirea (Spiraea 'Tor Gold')

Emerging leaves copper-tinged, opening to bold lime green, softening to gold in summer, transitioning to rich rose in fall. White spring flowers a bonus. Favorite of hummingbirds/butterflies; generally ignored by deer (may nibble flowers, but shrub produces coppery new growth).

• Hardiness: -40°F (zones 3–9)
• Water: Average to low, very adaptable
• Light: Full sun or partial shade
• Size: 3–4 feet tall and wide
• Benefits: Hummingbird/butterfly favorite; deer generally ignore
• Seasonal interest: Spring to fall
• When to plant: Spring or fall
• Distinguishing traits: Foliage changes color spring to fall; white spring flowers; doesn't burn in full sun; very cold hardy
• Planting notes: Pruning not necessary; may trim for size/shape after blooming

Silver Heart Siberian Bugloss (Brunnera macrophylla 'Silver Heart')

Shade-loving perennial with forget-me-not-type spring flowers. Large heart-shaped leaves quickly form a mound rivaling hostas. More silver variegation than 'Jack Frost', far more sun-tolerant (grew well in Seattle full sun until 3 p.m.), extremely drought-tolerant (forgot to water for months). Tough perennial for tough places.

• Hardiness: -30°F (zones 4–8)
• Water: Average to low; drought-tolerant once established
• Light: Growers recommend shade/partial shade; tolerates full sun in cooler climates
• Size: 1 foot tall, 2 feet wide
• Benefits: Deer resistant; low maintenance
• Seasonal interest: Spring to fall
• When to plant: Spring or fall
• Distinguishing traits: More sun scorch resistant; blue spring flowers; stands up to heat and humidity
• Planting notes: Perfect for woodland gardens and shade containers; rich, fertile, well-drained soil

Wild Romance Hebe (Hebe 'Wild Romance')

Bright green variegated foliage turning rich burgundy in late summer. Purple summer flowers a bonus.

• Hardiness: 10°F (zones 8–10); annual in colder climates
• Water: Average to low
• Light: Full sun
• Size: 24–30 inches tall and wide
• Benefits: Deer resistant; low maintenance
• Seasonal interest: Year-round in milder climates
• When to plant: Spring or fall
• Distinguishing traits: Variegated foliage; summer flowers; evergreen
• Planting notes: No pruning necessary; trim after flowering if desired; balanced fertilizer in spring; well-drained soil with good air circulation