Mahogany and Blue Foliage Combo for Shade

This is a classic shade garden planting combination consisting of a foliage tapestry of fern, hosta, and heuchera, anchored by an evergreen shrub. The emerging foliage of the Red Radiance autumn fern echoes the mahogany tones of the heuchera and both are in pleasing contrast to the compact blue hosta. This is a small-scale foliage vignette suitable for tucking into a tight corner in a small garden or as a complementary foreground to a larger planting scheme. Three of these plants are herbaceous, meaning they die back fully in the winter, so the overall effect of this scene is strengthened of the addition of the shade-tolerant, evergreen conifer, Chamaecyparis 'Barry's Silver'.

Growing Conditions

Zone: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Exposure: Open Shade, Filtered Sun, Morning Sun, Part Shade, Full Shade
Water Needs: Average, Regular / Even

Design Considerations

Style: Northwest Eclectic, Woodland
Features: Varied Foliage, Texture, and Form, Fabulous Foliage
Focus: Mixed Border, Pleasing Seasonal Flow, Small Space
Seasons of Interest: Spring, Summer, Fall, Pleasing Seasonal Changes, Three Seasons of Interest

Care and Maintenance


Maintenance Level: low

Plants In this Combo