Flowers aren’t the only plants to use in landscaping; there are plenty of beautiful ornamental plants that can improve your yard both ecologically and aesthetically. Here are some of the smartest options to add to your flowerbeds and backyard garden.

Which Nonflowering Plants Are Perfect for Landscaping?

1. Mosses

Plytrichum, or hair cap moss, is commonly used in ornamental gardening. It has a star-like appearance, with pointed leaves extending from a central stem, and can grow up to 8 inches tall. Hair cap moss can appear in a variety of environments, though it prefers shade and acidic soil.

All mosses are slow-growing and germinate through spores rather than seeds. You must transplant them to environments like the ones they’re used to to increase the likelihood of survival.

2. Ferns

Ferns help establish undergrowth on rocky ground or bad soil. They germinate via spores, like mosses, and offer a variety of greens, blues, and reds to your landscape. Some, like the Christmas fern, are evergreen. They do well planted in the shade or as border plants, as long as the soil has excellent drainage.

3. Coleus & Hosta

Coleus plants and hostas—such as chocolate mint and plantain lily, respectively—are also perfect border plants. Chocolate mint is an annual that grows in all USDA hardiness zones, so it is a smart option for low-maintenance landscaping.

Coleus plants and hostas are suitable for both direct sunlight and shade. Some varieties flower, but even the most common nonflowering species offer wide arrays of colors.

4. Ornamental Grasses

Ornamental grasses, like sedge, can thrive in almost any landscapes. Sedge is low maintenance, and different varieties tolerate anything from full shade to full sun exposure. They come in ranges of colors, from deep-green broadleaf to slender, copper strands.

5. Shrubs

Shrubs also add color and vibrancy to your landscape. The burning bush, for example, turns red during the fall and grows up to 8 feet tall. If you want evergreen bushes, inkberry and blue holly are both excellent choices for lining foundations and walkways.

Regardless of what landscaping plants you choose, you need a landscaping designer with the skills and resources to help you bring your ideas to life. For professional landscapers and a quality nursery center, contact Glynn Young’s Landscaping & Nursery Center in Nicholasville, KY. With over 30 years of experience, they will help you find what you need to bring out the most of your landscape. Call (859) 885-6100 for a landscaping consultation, and visit their website for more information.