Often times you may find yourself looking for a way to add color to your landscape surroundings. A flowering tree is one way but don’t limit yourself to just that. Plants with colored leaves is another option.
I compiled a list of plants each separated by color. These plants are all zone 5 suitable for northern Illinois. I also list the type of plants it’s is in parenthesis.
I recommend that you consult with your local landscape supply companies to see which varieties they are stocking before creating a design. I hope this helps you in your journey to of adding color to your landscape.
GRAY, SILVER
‘Lambrook Silver’ Wormwood (evergreen or perennial)
Lacey and silvery.
‘Russian Sage’ (perennial)
Blue/violet colored flowers in the summer. Upright and fine textured.
‘Rosemary Willow’ (deciduous shrub)
Very slender leaves. Prune hard every spring.
‘Coyote Willow’ (deciduous shrub)
Very silvery leaves.
‘Lambs Ears’ (perennial)
Low mats of large, fuzzy grey leaves. Violet flowers in the summer.
BLUE, BLUE-GREEN, BLUE-GRAY
‘Boulevard’ Sawara Cypress (evergreen)
Upright and cone shaped, with fluffy looking foliage.
‘Heavy Metal’ Switch Grass (perennial)
Dense upright clumps of blue-gray foliage, topped with airy seed heads.
‘Jackmans Blue’ Rue (perennial)
Scalloped foliage is almost iridescent, with a hint of turquoise.
BRONZE, PURPLE, RED
‘Crimson Queen’ Japanese Maple (deciduous)
shrubby, not tree size. Fine-cut leaves stay dark red or bronzy all summer. Needs part shade in hot climates.
‘Royal Purple’ Smoke Tree (deciduous)
Rounded leaves are uncommonly dark wine color. Fluffy pink flower heads in summer.
‘Red Barron’ Japanese Blood Grass (perennial)
Upright, narrow leaves are purple-bronze.
GOLD, YELLOW, CHARTREUSE
‘Aurea’ and ‘Bonanza Gold’ Japanese Barberries (deciduous)
Compact habits, yellow gold foliage. Part shade.
‘Gold Mop’ Sawara Cypress (evergreen)
Stays small for years, but eventually exceed 8 feet. Stringy foliage.
‘Golden Hakone Grass’ (perennial)
Soft, arching blades are golden yellow. Part shade.
‘Golden Privet’ (deciduous)
Small leaves are bright yellow in full sun. White flowers in early summer.
‘Gold Feverfew’ (perennial)
Scalloped leaves clear yellow-gold. White flowers like tiny daisies from late spring till frost.