Pastel green plants evoke a calming response in the garden. To capitalize on that fact, many designers create stunning landscapes with just one color – green. It doesn’t have to be just one color of green either. Varying shades of green contrast nicely. Lightly colored foliage plants such as the many options with heuchera or a pink bromeliad add charm and a quiet feel to their surroundings.
Sit back and relax while we take a look at light green foliage plants and pretty pastels.
Pastel Plants with Pretty, Pale Foliage
If you want to add a serene feel to your garden, design with soothing greens and delicate pastels. For a shaded area, you can’t go wrong with hostas that are shades of green and blue. To extend the blue plantings try these hostas: ‘Siebold,’ ‘Elegans,’ ‘Francis Williams,’ ‘Krossa Regal,’ and ‘Helen Doriot.’ To the front of the border add lots of Japanese painted fern for a monochromatic color scheme and serene feel. Or try Japanese painted fern with the soft, peachy tones of 'Siren’s Song Orange Delight' heuchera for a pastel and calming look.
In a partly sunny area, choose lightly colored shrubs such as dappled willow with evergreens such as ‘Green Gem’ boxwood or ‘Elf’ mountain laurel.
Here are pastel plants to try:
- Siebold Hosta (Hosta sieboldiana) – Large hosta with heart shaped, bluish green leaves. Full to part shade. Two to three feet tall (61-91 cm.), up to a 4 foot (1 m.) spread. Hardiness zones 3 through 8.
- Japanese Painted Fern (Athyrium niponicum 'Pictum') – Low growing stature with silver edged, blue-green fronds and a purplish midrib. 18 to 24 inches (46-61 cm.) tall and wide. Full to part shade. Hardiness zones 4 through 8.
- Cotton Candy Bromeliad (Neoregelia 'Cotton Candy') – In warm climates this pink, tropical epiphyte can be grown outside. For cooler climates, plant in containers that can overwinter indoors. 6 to 10 inches (15-25 cm.) tall, 10 to 12 inches (25-31 cm.) wide. Full to part shade. Hardiness zones 9 through 11.
- Siren’s Song Orange Delight Heuchera (Heuchera 'TNHEUSSOD') – Soft, peachy tones add warmth to a shady garden. Filtered sun. 18 inches (46 cm.) tall, 15 inches (38 cm.) wide. Hardiness zones 4 through 9.
- Flamingo Dappled Willow (Salix integra 'Flamingo') - Pink, white, and apple green variegated foliage on easy-to-care-for deciduous shrub. Full to part sun. Hardiness zones 4 through 10.
-
Proven Health Benefits Of Gardening – Why It’s Good To Get Your Hands DirtyThere are so many health benefits of gardening for every age and ability level, it may hold the key to many of the world’s problems. Learn about the ways gardening can improve your life.
-
Get Gardening For Better Sleep: Why Gardens And Plants Can Give You Happier BedtimesWe all know gardening is intrinsically linked to a ‘feel good’ factor – have you ever wondered why it helps with rest? Here’s the thinking behind gardening for better sleep…
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
5 Unique Pink Plants - Outdoor Plants With Pink Foliage For The GardenPink foliage plants are truly unique. They add unexpected, eye-catching color to landscaping and beds. If you’re looking for a plant that has princess-pink leaves, green with pink variegation, or deep rose hues, these five examples will do the trick.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
