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It's only natural that when we select perennials, flowers get all the attention. After all, flowers are the star performers. But it's a mistake to overlook foliage. If flowers are the principals, foliage is the supporting cast. Most perennials perform for only a few short weeks. After that foliage is what keeps the show going.

Fortunately, many perennials are multi-talented, their leaves every bit as attractive as their flowers. Adding these to your perennial borders keeps things exciting all season long. One of the best foliage plants for sunny locations is Heliopsis 'Loraine Sunshine,' having creamy leaves patterned with dark green veining. The exotic foliage could stand alone, but large golden-yellow daisies blooming from midsummer through frost are a welcome ornamentation.

'Loraine Sunshine' sings a sweet duet with equally long-blooming Achillea 'Anthea.' 'Anthea's pale yellow flowers and silvery fern-like foliage brings in softer notes. For a classy trio add Calamagrostis 'Overdam,' a handsome grass with subtle silver variegation. All of these plants are vigorous and easy going in moist humus-enriched soil and full sun.

Chartreuse foliage adds zest to any arrangement. Geranium 'Ann Folkard' goes even further, flaunting chartreuse foliage with magenta, black-eyed flowers. This scene-stealer goes well with other chartreuse and yellow-colored foliage such as golden Creeping Jenny. It also complements white or yellow flowers, including golden Columbine and yellow-leafed Hostas. This grouping performs best in moist soil with morning sun and afternoon shade.

Shasta Daisies (Leucanthemum xsuberbum) are everyone's favorite summer daisy. One with a distinct foliage advantage is 'Snowcap' which features fresh green, nearly succulent foliage. This is a dwarf form at only 14-inches tall with cheerful white daisies, perfect in front of Achillea 'Moonshine' (Yarrow). The yellow daisy centers are an exact match for the Yarrow's golden-yellow saucers. Both prefer a spot in full sun.

Another clear winner in the foliage class is Eryngium 'Sapphire Blue' (Sea Holly). Its blue-green foliage is heavily cut and spiked and overlaid with silver tracing. It doesn't get more dramatic than this. Steely blue flowers are as stunning as the leaves and go with any other garden perennial that likes full sun. Water-color lilac Phlox paniculata 'Franz Schubert' (Garden Phlox) and airy Artemisia 'Silver King' would create an ethereal mood. Use Daylilies or Aster 'Violet Queen' for a more cheerful composition.

The next time you shop for perennials give foliage as much thought as the flowers and allow these season extenders to work magic in your flower garden.