Potted golden version of Philodendron Xanadu, at left, in the garden of Jill Hankinson in Sydney

One of the best things about gardening is that we never stop learning. Whether it is discovering new plants, finding the name of a plant that has long eluded us, getting an idea about a colour combination or a practical garden tip: there is always something to add to our knowledge, especially when visiting other people's gardens. Last week I visited a lovely Sydney garden with some friends. The sunny front garden was a glorious picture of late summer colour - a profusion of blooms of myriad Canna, Dahlia, Buddleja, Salvia, various species and hybrid Fuchsia, hybrid Lantana and many others. As we explored the shady back garden, we were awestruck by the artistic use of foliage plants to wonderful effect.

Carex, at right, possibly Carex oshimensis Evereillo, in the garden of Jill Hankinson in Sydney

Carex, at right, possibly Carex oshimensis Evereillo, in the garden of Jill Hankinson in Sydney

Of particular interest to me was the use of shade-tolerant golden, yellow and chartreuse foliage plants, which really are so effective in illuminating areas with reduced light. A simply gorgeous grassy-leaved golden plant repeated several times in the back garden caught my eye and I was quite mesmerised by it. It appears it is likely to be a variety of Japanese sedge: Carex oshimensis 'Evereillo', which has arching, lime-gold leaves and grows best in light or medium shade, to a height of 30-45 cm. I have always airily dismissed Carex as being 'unsuitable for the Sydney climate' after a few failures with other species, but I had to hastily rethink that view, seeing this one and another striped pale yellow and green one (possibly Carex oshimensis 'Evergold') growing very happily here. Another friend in the group confirmed she grows the latter successfully in her Sydney garden. Linear leaves provided by these sorts of plants provide a wonderful foliage contrast against bolder specimens. I resolved to add these to my own garden pronto!

Golden foliage lights up an area around a seat in shade, in the garden of Jill Hankinson in Sydney

Golden foliage lights up an area around a seat in shade, in the garden of Jill Hankinson in Sydney

Shrubby golden versions of Duranta and Coprosma provide a colourful background for perennials with leaves of a similar hue in this shaded garden and after tearing myself away from the Carex, I admired a lovely vignette around a seat, with a potted Xanthosoma 'Lime Zinger', with its dramatic 'elephant's ear' leaves and a thriving clump of the golden version of Philodendron 'Xanadu' - another plant that I have had trouble with as it hasn't grown that well in my garden. I learned that day that I need patience as it is a rather slow grower. It could be seen elsewhere in the garden also growing well in a pot (pictured at the start of the blog). The scene was edged with a row gold-striped Liriope muscari, with their purple flower spikes in bloom.

Dramatic use of coleus in the garden of Jill Hankinson in Sydney

Dramatic use of coleus in the garden of Jill Hankinson in Sydney

Coleus are excellent shade-dwellers and are much used in this garden. A particularly robust dark-marked, yellowish-gold variety (grown by many in our group, as it was passed on by a past member, a superb gardener) is used in various spots, including near the seat mentioned above, paired with other golden leaves in some spots, Elsewhere it is used very dramatically with a very dark coleus with a faint golden, scalloped edge. Another very handy yellow-leaved plant for shade is Iresine herbstii 'Aureoreticulata', a version of the beefsteak plant. It is a semi-tropical, soft-leaved bushy perennial, which has the form of a shrub and lasts for many years if cut back fairly hard in late winter each year. I also noted a healthy Sanchezia, which also has yellow-veined leaves, growing in the garden and questioned my previous labelling of this plant as too tender for Sydney's winters! I may try it once more!

Begonia Golden Girl, at right, with other foliage plants in the garden of Jill Hankinson in Sydney

Begonia Golden Girl, at right, with other foliage plants in the garden of Jill Hankinson in Sydney

Another striking lime-gold plant grown in the garden is Begonia 'Golden Girl', with huge, rounded leaves. Not always an easy Begonia to keep going, this one is thriving! It was nestled amongst other shade-loving foliage plants, including Strobilanthes dyeriana (Persian shield) and a dark-leaved Iresine, along with lots of green foliage as a foil to the coloured leaves. Some rhizomatous Begonia have leaves of a similar hue to that of 'Golden Girl' and are excellent groundcovers for shaded gardens.

We departed from the garden with precious cuttings, many ideas and much inspiration!