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Close up of a variegated yucca.
Foliage, with its wide range of shapes and colours, is a great way to add appeal to any garden. Find out our top picks.

Variegated yucca

Variegated yuccas, pictured above, have yellow or white streaks that run down their long slender leaves, which sit atop woody stems. Growing over two metres tall if not trimmed, they can tolerate all light levels and prefer soil with good drainage and dry conditions.

Heucheras

This small evergreen plant has sculptural foliage in shades of red, purple, orange and bright green. Suitable for rockeries, borders and planting in pots, these hardy plants grow best in full sun or partial shade. Water regularly during dry periods.

A heucheras plant covered in raindrops.

Bergenia

Characterised by broad glossy green leaves that look outstanding right through the year, and take on a reddish hue during cooler months. Grown in shade they will produce lush foliage. When grown in full sun they will produce a profusion of flowers in spring.

A bergenia plant with a pink-purple flower.

Lamium

This perennial groundcover has striking triangular leaves that are silver in colour with contrasting green edges and is complemented with pink flowers in spring and summer. Lamiums can tolerate shade, making them a great choice to plant under established trees.

A soft pastel pink lamium plant in flower.

Bird of paradise (Strelitzia)

Widely recognised for its prominent orange flowers, the bird of paradise has large broad leaves growing on long stems. Growing up to two metres high and a metre wide, they prefer full sun and a free draining soil.

Bird of paradise (Strelitzia) plant with its distinctive orange and deep purple flower.

Colocasia

Large heart-shaped leaves grow densely on stems that can exceed a metre in height. Usually green, there are varieties with purple to black leaves. Colocasias can tolerate dappled light and love a moist soil so are perfect for boggy areas or around ponds.

Green heart-shaped colocasial leaves.

Hostas

These shade lovers have bold heart-shaped leaves in colours ranging from green through to blues and greys, as well as some variegated forms. They like a moist and rich, but well drained soil. They are a favourite of snails and slugs so consider using snail and slug pellets.

Close up of a Hostas plant.

Arthropodium

A perfect solution for dry, shady areas, this plant has long green foliage that grows to about 70cm high. Arthropodium also features masses of delicate clusters of nodding flowers above the foliage in spring.

Chalky green leaves of the arthropodium plant.

Dianella 'Silverado'

This grass-like plant has long, slender green leaves with bands of white around the edges. Suited to mass plantings, it works in full sun to part shade, grows to about 45cm high and requires little maintenance.

The Dianella silverado plant with bands of white around the edges of the leaves.

Cordyline

Cordylines have long thin foliage in a wide variety of colours, from green and yellow to pink and burgundy. They also vary from small clumping varieties to tall palm-like plants. Suited to full sun or part shade, they give a garden a tropical feel all year round.

Cordyline plant.

Canna lilies

For a tropical display in temperate climates, go for the canna lily. Available in a variety of foliage colours, their large leaves and long-lasting flowers make for a fabulous tropical display. Plant in a sunny position in soil enriched with compost and cow manure. Mulch well and water during dry spells.

Canna lilies in bloom.

Bromeliads

At home in all but the coldest areas of Australia, these attractive tropical plants come in a wide range of sizes, shapes and foliage colours. Typified by a stunning flower spike that lasts for months, they are a good choice for feature pots. Plant in a well-drained potting mix or soil when in the garden.

Orange and yellow bromeliads.

Find your foliage

For these and other great ways to brighten your garden, check out our full range of plants and great garden ideas.

 

Health & Safety

Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.

When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.