What I have noticed this week in the garden is how I have unconsciously been planting chartreuse or yellow foliage plants dotted around the garden. My eye jumps from one glowing area to the next. There are many beautiful annuals, perennials and shrubs that have chartreuse leaves and it amazing to see how a dark shady border can suddenly have light. In spring, leaves emerge in many subtle color variations, but as summer progresses the greens start to look more similar.
It occurs to me that by using chartreuse or variegated foliage it is a good way to break up the monotony of green leaves. Here are just a few of the plants I have used that have helped liven up the garden. I am sure there are many more choices then this small sampling.
Spiraea ‘Lemon Princess’
Golden Hops
Lysimachia ‘Aurea’
Filipendula ulmaria ‘aurea’ – does best in shade- tends to be very harsh yellow in full sun.
Sumac ‘Tiger Eyes’
Rooting for Ideas 
I am always charmed and enlightened by your posts…I am now looking back on past posts and remembering (from last August) that you suggested that I could come pick up some seedlings of Nicotiana Sylvestris this spring…Is that possible?
Sure Marlys. They have just emerged in the gravel path. I would contact me at Ds@donstathamdesign.com in about 2 weeks time. They should be large enough to pot up.
Best Don
Beautiful and inspiring. Thank you! Can you suggest particular sources for plants? I’m new to your blog, so forgive me if I have overlooked earlier posts with this sort of information.
Hi Susan
Welcome to Rooting For Ideas. I like to shop for plants at Mom & Pop nurseries because they tend to know the plants that work for your plant zone. I do not like the huge discount houses because they tend to sell the same plants all over the country. You also have to purchase early because they do not generally have staff to take care of the plants. In terms of mail order there are lots of good companies out there for every type of plant. For unusual plants those you can not find anywhere else- I like Forestfarm.
Thank you so much!
My new favorite mail-order source is Arrowhead Alpine. The name is misleading; it’s not just alpines. I ordered several plants from them this spring and they all were in great shape on arrival. They have a lot of hard to find perennials and small shrubs, like Paeonia mlokosewitschii and Hyalomecon japonicum.
Thank you, Deborah! I will check that out.
Very beautiful garden.
Hi Don,
Nice pictures! I was wondering if you could tell me what the big-leaved plant is behind the ‘Tiger Eyes’ Sumac.
Hi Evan,
Yes that Petasites Japonica- it’s a kind of rhubarb also called Butter burr. It likes constantly wet soil and very little sunlight. Grows along streams in Korea, Japan.
Best, Don
Thanks for the info. Very cool plant and I might have to try it.