You’ve probably heard the old grammatical joke, “Eats Shoots and Leaves”. Without commas, the phrase might refer to a panda munching bamboo, or maybe a hungry caterpillar. But with commas, “Eats, Shoots, and Leaves” describes a cowboy wolfing his lunch and firing his six-shooter as he exits the saloon!
As any copyeditor will tell you, commas matter. But ask a gardener and it’s the shoots and leaves that matter!
Ferns, tropicals, shrubs, edibles: They all boast distinct foliage forms that are not only functional, but often very beautiful and valued in their own right. Foliage is simply the plant without its flower or reproductive parts. Foliage sustains, shelters, thrills and surprises us.
I’m no botanist, but I know foliage is classified into various types, and there are countless unique plant species across the globe. From giant banana leaves to rock-clinging lichen, to kelp and conifers, to thistles and cacti, the diversity of plant forms is staggering.
I most appreciate foliage by touching, smelling and photographing whatever is growing near me. Scent in particular is something I very much treasure, even when the whiff is more pungent than pleasant. Scent is also advantageous in helping to identify plants.
Of course I grow only a miniscule number of foliage varieties. Some, like heuchera and hostas, I would love to grow but it’s total deer food. So I do the best I can with non-deer types!
If you’d like to try your hand at identifying some common perennials and shrubs by the sight of their foliage alone, take our fun LEAF QUIZ!
Meanwhile, get out there an enjoy the last leaves of the season before the frosts turn them brown and the winter winds whisk them all away!
