Adventurous gardeners know that combining tender perennials with summer flowering annuals in containers is the freshest way to update your outdoor living space. These plants provide some amazing new foliage options.

‘Black Taffeta’ begonia Begonia ‘Black Taffeta’ Large, crested obsidian-black leaves up to 20 cm (8 in.) wide have a burgundy red underside. This plant was bred with sturdy rhizomatous roots to make it stronger than any rex begonia. Great in the shade garden or a spectacular dark foliage accent to containers. Pink flowers. Grows 45-60 cm (18-24 in.) tall and wide. A tender perennial. ‘Metallic Mist’ begonia Begonia ‘Metallic Mist’ Heavily silvered maple-like leaves grow to form a striking 45 cm (18 in.) tall specimen. Pink flowers in late summer extend the show. Best in shade. A tender perennial. ‘Phoe’s Cleo’ begonia Begonia ‘Phoe’s Cleo’ Vivid chartreuse leaves sport mahogany-red splashes. This plant thrives in containers and shade gardens. A tender perennial. ‘Chocolate Queen’ ti plant Cordyline terminalis ‘Chocolate Queen’ Creamy-white variegated foliage maturing to chocolate. Perfect for borders and patio pots. Grows 50-63.5 cm (20-25 in.) tall. A tender perennial that will add a tropical flare to any container or garden. Tandarra Red ornamental banana Ensete ‘Tandarra Red’ This is a dramatic foliage plant with huge, waxy fronds of reddish-purple tones superimposed over deep green. Use to give an exotic tropical look. A tender perennial. Tahitian Flame variegated ginger Hedychium ‘Tahitian Flame’ Make a Hawaiian splash with this boldly variegated hybrid ginger. Highly fragrant apricot flowers emerge in midsummer and continue through fall. The upright habit of ‘Tahitian Flame’ creates a striking architectural accent for both containers and gardens. A tender perennial. ‘Hi Color Mini’ banana Musa ‘Hi Color Mini’ A dwarf version of the increasingly popular banana tree, only reaching 75-105 cm (2.5 to 3.5 ft.) in height, but produces enormous exotic green foliage with large burgundy blotches. Excellent dessert-quality fruit. This dwarf banana is a tender perennial that does best in full sun to partial shade. Photo courtesy Agri-starts Inc. ‘Zebrina’ ornamental banana Musa sumatrana ‘Zebrina’ Grown for its attractive foliage only, the fruit is seeded and inedible. The slender plant grows 150-210 cm (5-7 ft.) tall and is wind and cold resistant. It is well adapted to container growing, however, when grown this way will only reach 90-150 cm (3-5 ft.) unless grown in a very large container. The stem is completely red. The leaves are narrow with green and red mottling on the top and solid maroon colouring on the bottom. A tender perennial, it does best in full sun-part shade. Photo courtesy of Agri-starts Inc. ‘Pink Princess’ philodendron Philodendron ‘Pink Princess’ This is an unusual black leaf philodendron with hot pink variegation. Good light is needed for the maximum variegation/pink shades. This tender perennial requires no special care except moderate light conditions. A colourful foliage accent to summer containers.