Trailing Foliage Annual

februarysgirl

I'm looking for a trailing foliage annual to drape over the edge of my raised beds. At the moment I'm only looking for an annual to test run the general look rather than commit to a perennial or shrub. Ideally I'd like something that will grow no longer than 50cm, that isn't varigated, that can grow in full sun and part shade and if it does flower, only very inconspicuous blooms so as to not distract from the foliage.

It's a bit of an ask I know. There is probably isn't such a plant but I figured if one did exist, someone here would know about it 🤞

JennyJ

Have a look at hanging basket foliage plants, things like helichrysum, lysimachia numularia, trailing nepeta. Most of them are silver leaved or variegated, but you might find a plain green variety.

Fire

trailing foliage annual

Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea

Trailing pelargonium like Lord Bute / angels

If you plant nasturtium in rich soil you will get mostly foliage.

Bacopa has quite discreet flowers

Ipomea batatas

Lamium

Helichrysum petiolare 'Silver'

Nollie

Trailing, non-variegated ivy-leaved pelargonium peltatum cascade is annual for me. Well-behaved, trails nicely, not too long, but maybe too floral?

punkdoc

P. Lord Bute is lovely, but not trailing, at least in my hands.

Marlorena

Centradenia 'Cascade'... these were all the flowers I got but the foliage was nice..





..an alternative is that you may not need an annual but you could use the ground cover evergreen Veronica 'Georgia Blue', which flowers profusely only in Spring, then spreads quite quickly and will trail if in a pot or raised bed of some sort.. quite attractive foliage..

februarysgirl

Thanks for the suggestions although I had taken a look at most of those already. One thing I probably should have mentioned is that I'm trying to create more of a woodland feel to my garden. At the moment I've got more flowers than foliage which is the antithesis of woodland. Ivy would be perfect if it it wasn't such a PITA.

GardenerSuze

@februarysgirl I did see Joe Lycett plant Muehlenbeckia in a pot as part of a Gardener's World programme some months ago. Also Rubus Betty Ashburner might be another idea. 

februarysgirl

@GardenerSuze I saw one of Alan Titchmarsh's team (I can't recall her name) plant Muehlenbeckia not long ago and I immediately added it to my Pinterest board as a strong long term contender. The reason I'm wanting an annual trailer is to test run the look without the hassle of needing to dig a shrub/perennial back up a year later if I don't like it. I've dug up a couple of shrubs and some perennials this year and they were a PITA getting out! An annual requires no such effort if I'm not keen 😁

GardenerSuze

@februarysgirl I did get a small pot of Muehlenbeckia at the local nursery it was a tiny pot think I paid £2.00, in with the starter house plants. I have enjoyed it as a house plant over winter and plan to plant in a pot outside soon.