Green grass and plants are covered with scattered white fluffy seeds, likely from nearby trees or plants, creating a soft, cloudy appearance on the ground.

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.

A decorative gray planter holds purple and green leafy plants, surrounded by lush greenery in an outdoor garden setting.

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.

Close-up of two types of green succulents growing next to each other, with one having rounded leaves edged in red and the other having jagged, serrated leaves. Both are set beside a light-colored rock.

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.

Green mint plants grow in a garden bed with other leafy plants and tall grass-like leaves in the background, creating a lush, vibrant scene.

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.

Purple globe amaranth flowers and vibrant pink blooms grow next to deep purple sweet potato vine leaves, creating a bright and lively garden scene.

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

Dense cluster of oval green leaves with subtle hints of purple and yellow, overlapping each other, creating a lush, textured foliage background.

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