• Coleus is a non-flowering plant that is prized for its foliage.coleus image by Keith Pinto from Fotolia.com
  
  Plants that do not produce flowers are grown for their attractive foliage. Some produce large, vibrant green leaves, or foliage in other colors. A few non-flowering plants help create balance in your garden among all of your flowering plants. There are numerous non-flowering plants from which to choose.
  
  

Caladium

• Caladium plants are attractive, leafy plants that are used in flower beds and borders. These perennials have tuber roots and produce heart-shaped leaves that grow 6 to 14 inches in length. Its leaves are streaked or spotted with colors such as pink, green, gray or white. Most varieties of caladium grow well in full or partial shade, while some newer varieties can handle full sun. Plant your caladiums in moist soil that is rich in humus and a bit acidic.
  
  

Japanese Holly

• These evergreen plants form mounds of foliage that grow 2 feet tall and 3 feet wide. Plant Japanese holly plants in flower beds or as borders. They also make good house plants. Japanese holly produces arching fronds with glossy, deep green leaves. The leaves have sharp points on them, similar to traditional holly plants, although this variety does not produce berries. Plant your Japanese holly plants in full to partial shade. They grow best in moist, well-drained acidic soil.
  
  

Virgin's Palm

• Virgin's palm trees produce gray-green to blue-green leaves that remain upright. Each leaf is feathery and grows about 6 feet long. Each tree produces between 15 and 20 leaves that radiate from the center of the tree. Virgin's palm trees grow around 11 feet tall. While this palm tree does not produce flowers, the female trees do produce cones that have edible seeds. Virgin's palms grow best in partial shade, in moist, well-drained soil.
  
  

Hosta

• Hosta is a plant that is grown for its foliage. There are between 50 and 70 species of the hosta, which grow in mounds and have overlapping leaves. The mounds can be between 6 inches and 3 feet tall and of a similar width. The plant's leaves vary widely in appearance. They can be long and thin or heart-shaped. Some leaves are very small, while others are 2 feet long. Hosta plants produce foliage in a variety of colors, such as green, gray, yellow, blue or variegated. Hosta plants thrive in partial shade or full shade, in moist, fertile soil.
  
  

Sword Fern

• This plant is sometimes called the wild Boston fern. It produces fronds that stick straight up and can reach 6 feet in length. The fronds of most varieties are bright green, but rare varieties can produce yellow fronds. These ferns often grow wild in hot, humid swamp areas. While this fern can be cultivated, it is best to try it only in regions with humid weather. Misting the fern daily can help it thrive in areas with lower humidity. It grows best in full to partial shade and in moist soil with plenty of organic matter.