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Non-flowery plants

TheGardenerFromMarsTheGardenerFromMars Posts: 65
in Plants
Hi all,

If I said plants for containers that don't flower (or have very inconspicuous flowers - the person doesn't like flowers much), all shades of green foliage are fine (some coloured foliage also fine) and the bigger the leaves the better, preferably evergreen - do you have any suggestions?

The locations of the pots range from almost full shade to almost full sun, so I'll need a range of plants to suit the light levels. Close to the sea (south England) but not a direct hit from salty sea wind.
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Posts

  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    I suppose they could always pick the flower buds off any plant before they open.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    edited April 2023
    Everyone likes flowers, surely.  Does this person have a condition with a name?

    If he's a crusty old man, take him to a garden centre and let him choose (with guidance, of course).  If that is not possible, ignore his request.
     location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand.
    "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
  • TheGardenerFromMarsTheGardenerFromMars Posts: 65
    I think they want the lush jungle vibe rather than flowers. I think they’ll tolerate some flowers but not big showy flowers.
  • TheGreenManTheGreenMan Posts: 1,957
    Euphorbia Honey Spurge 
    Fatsia Japonica
    Tetrapanex
    Ferns
    Bamboo
    Hostas
    Various grasses
    Colocasias
    Banana 

    i know some of these flower but not massively. 
  • bullfinchbullfinch Posts: 692
    I've never grown it, but I saw Arun Italicum Marmoratum in a book. It likes partial shade and is hardy.
  • WildFlower_UKWildFlower_UK Posts: 236
    Everyone likes flowers, surely.  Does this person have a condition with a name?

    If he's a crusty old man, take him to a garden centre and let him choose (with guidance, of course).  If that is not possible, ignore his request.
    Stop being a bully. People come onto this forum to ask for advice, not to be judged.

    Ferns are my go-to for foliage interest, and don't flower. There are so many types, most prefer shady conditions but there are varieties that can tolerate some sun. Most also prefer damp or wet soil so they'd need to be kept well watered.
    "If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need"
  • bullfinchbullfinch Posts: 692
    Yes, ferns are beautiful. There is a thread with some great pictures, called 'fond of fronds'. You might get some ideas there  :)
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    Persicaria "Red Dragon" and P. "Purple Fantasy". Both have small flowers but they are mostly grown for the foliage. I usually cut the flowering stems back to promote bushiness and more foliage.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • Butterfly66Butterfly66 Posts: 970
    Pittosporum shrubs have lovely evergreen foliage and the flowers are very inconspicuous - not large leaves though
    Rodgersias’ foliage is also very attractive and you could snip off the flower stems


     If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.”—Marcus Tullius Cicero
    East facing, top of a hill clay-loam, cultivated for centuries (7 years by me). Birmingham
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @TheGardenerFromMars For Shade Asarum Europaeum, Polystichum setiferum, Dryopteris wallichiana, Polystichum setiferum 'Bevis', Carex buchananii, Bowles Golden Sedge, Ophiopogon planiscapus Nigrescens, Ophiopogon japonicus variegata ,Anemone nemorosa Viridiflora.

    For Sun Hedera Helix Erecta, Hedera Helix Ice Cream, Panicum Heavy Metal, Pinus Low Glow.
    Melianthus Major, Muhinbeckia[ if you can give these the right microclimat   
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
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