Shrubs are the backbone of any garden, providing structure, color, and texture. While flowers often take center stage, shrubs with striking foliage can add year-round interest and elevate your landscape design. In Victoria, BC, where the climate is mild and conducive to lush growth, there are many shrubs with beautiful foliage that thrive in local gardens.

Here are 11 shrubs with stunning foliage that will enhance your garden in Victoria, BC.

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1. Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum)

Japanese maples are celebrated for their delicate, multi-lobed leaves that come in a range of colors, from vibrant green to deep red and orange.

Why Plant Japanese Maple?

• Seasonal Appeal: Foliage changes color throughout the year.
• Compact Size: Fits well in small gardens or as a focal point.
• Shade Tolerance: Thrives in partial shade.

Ideal Uses:

Perfect as a centerpiece or in shaded garden corners.

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2. Smoke Bush (Cotinus coggygria)

The smoke bush is a standout shrub with dramatic foliage that ranges from deep purple to rich green, depending on the variety.

Why Plant Smoke Bush?

• Unique Texture: Leaves are velvety and rich in color.
• Seasonal Interest: Produces fluffy, smoke-like flowers in summer.
• Low Maintenance: Drought-tolerant and hardy.

Ideal Uses:

Great for borders or as a striking accent shrub.

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3. Heavenly Bamboo (Nandina domestica)

Despite its name, heavenly bamboo isn’t a true bamboo but an elegant shrub with lacy, evergreen foliage that changes color with the seasons.

Why Plant Heavenly Bamboo?

• Colorful Foliage: New growth is red or bronze, maturing to green and turning red in winter.
• Compact Growth: Suitable for small gardens.
• Year-Round Interest: Evergreen leaves provide consistent beauty.

Ideal Uses:

Perfect for borders, foundation plantings, or containers.

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4. Pieris Japonica (Japanese Andromeda)

Pieris Japonica offers year-round appeal with its glossy evergreen leaves and colorful new growth in shades of red and bronze.

Why Plant Pieris Japonica?

• New Growth Color: Adds vibrant red or pink tones in spring.
• Seasonal Flowers: Produces cascading clusters of white blooms.
• Shade Tolerance: Thrives in partial to full shade.

Ideal Uses:

Great for shaded beds or as a companion to rhododendrons and azaleas.

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5. Variegated Dogwood (Cornus alba ‘Elegantissima’)

This striking shrub features green leaves edged with creamy white, adding a pop of contrast to your garden.

Why Plant Variegated Dogwood?

• Year-Round Interest: Foliage is colorful in summer, and red stems add winter beauty.
• Hardy and Adaptable: Thrives in various soil conditions.
• Low Maintenance: Requires minimal care.

Ideal Uses:

Perfect for hedges, borders, or as a backdrop for flowering plants.

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6. Golden Barberry (Berberis thunbergii ‘Aurea’)

The golden barberry is a compact shrub with vibrant yellow foliage that brings brightness to any garden.

Why Plant Golden Barberry?

• Bright Foliage: Stunning golden-yellow leaves.
• Hardy: Tolerates drought and poor soil.
• Compact Size: Ideal for small spaces.

Ideal Uses:

Great for borders, foundation plantings, or as a striking contrast to darker shrubs.

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7. Rhododendron ‘President Roosevelt’

This unique rhododendron features variegated leaves with green and cream patterns, in addition to its showy blooms.

Why Plant ‘President Roosevelt’ Rhododendron?

• Dual Appeal: Beautiful foliage and stunning spring flowers.
• Evergreen: Provides year-round greenery.
• Low Maintenance: Easy to grow in Victoria’s climate.

Ideal Uses:

Perfect for shaded borders or woodland gardens.

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8. Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius)

Ninebark is a hardy shrub with striking foliage in shades of deep burgundy, gold, or lime green, depending on the variety.

Why Plant Ninebark?

• Colorful Foliage: Adds bold color to your garden.
• Hardy and Adaptable: Thrives in various conditions.
• Textural Interest: Peeling bark adds winter appeal.

Ideal Uses:

Great for hedges, mixed borders, or as a standout specimen.

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9. Euonymus (Euonymus fortunei ‘Emerald Gaiety’)

This evergreen shrub features small, glossy leaves with green centers and white margins, creating a striking look.

Why Plant Euonymus?

• Variegated Foliage: Adds brightness and contrast.
• Evergreen: Year-round appeal.
• Versatile: Can be trained as a hedge or allowed to spread.

Ideal Uses:

Perfect for ground cover, borders, or low hedges.

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10. Coral Bells (Heuchera spp.)

Coral bells are technically perennials, but their vibrant, colorful foliage makes them a popular choice for low-growing shrubs.

Why Plant Coral Bells?

• Vibrant Foliage: Leaves come in shades of purple, orange, green, and more.
• Compact Size: Fits well in small gardens.
• Low Maintenance: Thrives in shade and partial sun.

Ideal Uses:

Great for edging, ground cover, or adding color to shaded areas.

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11. Fatsia Japonica

Fatsia Japonica is a bold evergreen shrub with large, glossy leaves that create a tropical feel in your garden.

Why Plant Fatsia Japonica?

• Dramatic Foliage: Large, deeply lobed leaves.
• Shade Tolerance: Thrives in low-light conditions.
• Low Maintenance: Easy to grow and care for.

Ideal Uses:

Perfect for shaded corners, foundation plantings, or as a backdrop for smaller plants.

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Tips for Planting Foliage Shrubs in Victoria BC

1. Choose the Right Location: Match the shrub’s light and soil requirements to its planting spot.
2. Mix and Match: Combine shrubs with varying foliage colors and textures for a dynamic look.
3. Mulch for Protection: Mulch helps retain soil moisture and protect roots.
4. Prune as Needed: Regular pruning maintains shape and promotes healthy growth.
5. Water Wisely: Most shrubs need consistent watering during their first year to establish roots.

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Enhance Your Garden with Stunning Foliage

Adding shrubs with beautiful foliage to your garden in Victoria, BC, ensures year-round interest and dynamic texture. From the vibrant colors of golden barberry to the tropical appeal of Fatsia Japonica, these shrubs will elevate your landscape design.

If you’re ready to plant, prune, or maintain a stunning garden, Ascent Yard Care can help with expert landscaping and shrub care services. Contact us today to bring your garden vision to life!

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