Leaves are generally green because they contain green chlorophyll to perform photosynthesis. In plants with unique colors, those pigments block or dilute the green. They are rare in nature but do occur. Breeders have also created pink-leaf plants to meet demand for more exotic house and garden plants.
1. Tricolor Beech – A Tree with Pink Leaves
European tricolor beech is a medium-sized tree, growing up to 35 feet (10.7 m.) tall and 25 feet (7.6 m.) wide. It is cold hardy through zone 4 and tolerates urban conditions.
The foliage on this beech tree is a deep, purplish green with pale pink to rose margins and striking variegation between the two colors. It thrives in partial sun and cooler, wetter conditions. This is a striking landscaping tree for a garden focal point.
2. Weigela My Monet – A Bush with Pink Leaves
Weigela shrubs are related to honeysuckle and bloom profusely. This dwarf variety, My Monet, blooms in summer and only grows up to about two feet (0.6 m) tall at most. It’s a good shrub for edging and borders. You can also grow it in masses in beds or in containers.
The name My Monet describes its painterly leaves. The foliage is striking and variegated with green and pink. If you grow this shrub in the shade, the pink will be very light, almost cream. In full sun, the edges of the leaves are fully pink.
3. Heuchera Midnight Rose – A Dark and Pink Variegated Plant
Heuchera, or coral bells, is a beloved perennial that comes in numerous varieties. Easy to grow, coral bells produce a low clump of leaves and tall flower stalks in spring. They come in many colors, including variations on pink.
Midnight Rose has dark, nearly black leaves, blotched with pink. The pink spots start out bright and deep in spring and lighten to a creamy pink in summer. They grow in zones 4 through 9 and prefer full or partial sun.
4. Cherry Tart Sedum – Deep Pink Groundcover
This SunSparkler sedum, or stonecrop, is deep reddish-pink in color. Like many other sedums, this variety grows low to the ground, only about six inches (15 cm) tall. It has fleshy, succulent leaves and blooms pink in late summer.
Use Cherry Tart against lighter-colored plants for a striking counterpoint. It can grow in partial shade or full sun, has low water needs, and can tolerate some drought and hot conditions.
5. Brazilian Red Hots – For Hot Climates
Unlike the other plants on this list, this variety of Joseph’s Coat is only hardy to USDA zone 9. It prefers hot and humid conditions and will grow in sun or partial shade with moist soil.
Red Hots gets its name from the brightly-colored leaves. The foliage is variegated with deep red and hot pink. The fall flowers are not spectacular. This is a low shrub to grow for its outstanding foliage.
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Forage For Herbs: 7 Tasty And Safe Wild Herbs To Pick Close To Your Own BackyardIn addition to growing your own herbal staples, did you know there are several wild options out there that are safe and tasty – and free? Try foraging these 7 wild herbs
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Should You Cut Back Roses In The Fall? – When To Prune Your Prized Shrubs For WinterDiscover whether to cut back roses before the onset of winter – or to leave plants alone until spring.
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Best Plants For Evergreen HedgesEvergreens make the perfect hedge for screening, and there are so many to choose from. Read on to learn all about them.
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Creating A Pastel Plant Aesthetic With Light Colored FoliageClick here for ideas on plants with pastel colored foliage.
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Dark Green Foliage For Flower ArrangementsThe creation of your own fresh flower arrangement is a fun and exciting garden project. Click here to learn about common foliage options for flower arrangements.
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Fabulous Flowering Plants With Variegated LeavesGardeners often choose variegated leaves when they don't have flowers. But why not have both? These variegated flowering plants do.
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Add A Pop Of Red To Your Garden Bed - 5 Plants With Fabulous Red FoliageThere are plenty of red foliage perennials and shrubs to use as accents or primary pops of color in the garden. Read on for our top 5.
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Can You Press Fall Leaves: Methods For Pressing Autumn LeavesPreserving leaves is an old pastime and art. Pressing flowers is more common, but to create spectacular fall displays, try leaves. Get started here.
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What Leaves Are Narrow: Learn About Plants With Long, Thin LeavesIf you’ve ever wondered why some plants have thick, fat leaves and some have leaves that are long and thin, you’re not alone. Scientists have asked these very same questions. So what plant leaves are narrow and what purpose do skinny leaves on plants have? Find out here.
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Common Red Leafed Plants: Growing Plants With Red FoliageAre you looking to add an intensity and pop of color to your garden? Look no further than plants with red foliage. Coming in a variety of shapes and sizes, you’ll have plenty to choose from. For ideas on red foliage plants to test out in your garden plans, click here.
