Gardeners' Question Time From the Archives: Foliage Frenzy
May 16, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Matthew Wilson, a horticulturalist and garden designer, teams up with Chris Potts, owner of Sienna Hostas nursery. They delve into the secrets of creating vibrant foliage borders using resilient plants like euonymus and hostas. Matthew provides key tips for winterizing banana plants while exploring common gardening challenges like slug control. Chris shares his expert methods for keeping hostas pest-free. Whether you're nurturing a floral masterpiece or facing foliage troubles, their advice is practical and tailored for every gardener.
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Best Plants for Foliage Borders
- Use evergreen variegated euonymus like Euonymus fortunei 'Silver Queen' for hardy foliage borders.
- Incorporate ferns and large hostas for texture and robustness in windy, west-facing locations.
Care for Vibrant Photinia Red Robin
- Place Photinia 'Red Robin' in full sun and prune it hard in early spring to encourage vibrant red foliage.
- Apply mulch and fertilizer to boost growth and coloration for this common foliage plant.
Winter Care for Banana Plants
- Hardy banana varieties like Musa basjoo die back to ground in winter but regrow in spring; tender types need protection or indoor overwintering.
- Use thick, airy coverings like straw and fleece for winter protection without moisture buildup.
