Latest Fact Sheets

VARIEGATED DELIGHTS By Howard Drury

Variegated plants are loved by some gardeners and hated by others who consider them to be freaks of nature.  Whichever way we consider them, they can be somewhat difficult to fit into the garden landscape.  There are various forms of variegation and these can consist of a margin of white or yellow around the green centre of a leaf.  Some may have large irregular margins, others may have the narrowest of lines.  In some plants the margins of the leaf are green and the centre contains a contrasting colour or colours.  Others may have networks of yellow or white veins across the green background of the leaves.  There are also plants with mottled or merged colouring.  Taking these types of variegation into account, some gardeners argue that anything other than plain green is unnatural in the garden.  However those with the artistic flair for planting and flower arranging would point out that variegated foliage is extremely useful, giving line and form to a garden.  When selecting variegated plants it is worth remembering that in some cases the variegation varies during the growing season, only looking at its best in early spring and autumn.  One must also remember that variegated versions of plants tend to produce fewer and often smaller flowers than their green leaved cousins and because of the conspicuous foliage, the flowers often go unnoticed.

Variegated plants are often difficult to place in the garden as they can overshadow better architectural plants.  It is always worth bearing in mind where the plants will be seen from and to make sure that the variegated plants does not overwhelm its neighbours.  Most of the variegated plants that appreciated shade have white within their variegated leaves.  Plants that do better in more sun often have yellow or yellow and white in the leaves.  But remember, the drier the conditions of a sunnier site, the less spectacular the foliage may appear.

VARIEGATED SHRUBS

Abelia chinensis 'Francis Mason' - 1.2m x 1.2m with golden variegated foliage.  White flowers from July-October.  Does best in a warm sheltered site in well drained soil.

Arundinaria variegata - (Bamboos) - succeed under trees and all soils except the worst clays.  Up to 1 m high with long cream and white striped leaves.  Tufted habit, spreads quickly.

A. viridistriata - 1-2m high.  With upright purplish, green canes with broadly striped rich yellow foliage.

Aucuba - shade loving shrubs for almost any soil or situation, withstands pollution.  Bright scarlet berries on female plants.  Various named variegated clones available.

A. japonica 'Crotonifolia' (male) - large leaves blotched with gold.

A. j. 'Gold Dust' (female) - leaves conspicuously marked gold.

A. j. 'variegata' (female) - speckled yellow foliage.

Berberis thunbergii 'Rose Glow' - a small striking deciduous shrub.  Leaves are purple mottled silver pink and bright rose, darkening with age.  Best in some sun on any site except waterlogged soils.

Buddleia davidii 'Harlequin' - variegated creamy white leaves with reddish purple flowers from July to October.  Fragrant flowers attract butterflies.  Prune in March.

Buxus sempervirens 'Aureovariegata'- (Box) - medium sized evergreen with creamy yellow variegation.

Buxus s. 'Elegantissima' - a small slow growing shrub.  Leaves are green with irregular creamy margin.  Makes a good specimen.  The best silver Box for most soils and sites.

Cornus (Dogwoods) - best pruned in March to provide attractive coloured stems in winter.

C. alba 'Elegantissima' - 1.8m x 1.5m pale green and silver foliage contrasts with red stems.

C. alba 'Spaethii' - 1.8m x 1.5 m bright red stems in winter.  Golden variegated foliage in summer.

C. alba 'Variegata' - 1.5m x 1.5m greyish green leaves with irregular creamy leaf edge.

Cornus alternifolia 'Argentea' - 2.5m -3m one the best silver variegated shrubs.  Leaves with regular creamy white margins, good autumn tints.

Cornus mas 'Elegantissima' - slow growing medium sized Cornelian Cherry with yellow tinged pink foliage which is best protected from full sun.

Cortaderia 'Gold Band' - (Pampas Grass)  - any soil, especially light sands,  Graceful narrow bright golden yellow and green leaves.  1.5m x1.5m.  Burn off foliage every third or fourth spring - check for any wildlife before setting fire to foliage.

Cotoneaster horizontalis 'Variegatus' - low growing herring-bone pattern growth.  Ideal for north east walls.  Especially good in autumn when variegations turn pink.

Daphne cneorum 'Variegata' - fragrant rose pink flowers in April.  Leaves margined with cream.  Needs good loamy soil, moisture retentive but free draining.

Daphne odora 'Aureomarginata' - very fragrant winter and early spring flowering small shrub 1.2m-2m high.  Creamy white variegated leaf margins.

Elaeagnus x ebbingei 'Coastal Gold' - considerably more gold than other cultivars, vigorous but untidy habit.

Elaeagnus pungens - forms a good evergreen wind resistant barrier for any soils except shallow chalk.  Fragrant flowers in autumn.  The following are good forms:

E.p. 'Dicksonii' - slow growing erect clone up to 5m.  Leaves have irregular yellow margin.

E.p. 'Maculata' - leaves with central gold splash.  Excellent medium sized shrub.

E.p. 'Variegata' - a large vigorous shrub with thin creamy leaf margins.

E.p. 'Gold Rim' - glossy leaves margined with bright yellow.

Euonymus fortunei - trailing or climbing plants for any soil including chalk.

E.f. 'Silver Pillar' - erect habit, narrow leaves with broad white margin.

E.f. 'Silver Queen' - ideal on walls 2.5m -3m high.  One of the best plants for berries.

Euonymus japonicus 'Albomarginatus' - leaves with narrow white margins, for sun or shade.

E.j. 'Aureopictus' - leaves with gold centres and broad green margins.  For sun or shade.

E.j. 'Microphyllus Variegatus' - small leaves with white margin for sun or shade.

E.j.'Ovatus Aureus' - leaves margined creamy yellow.  Does best in full sun.

Fuchsia magellanica 'Variegata' - a striking hardy fuchsia for milder areas.  Leaves creamy yellow flushed with pink.  Winter prune in late February.

Griselinia littoralis - dense evergreen shrub, ideal for hedges and maritime plantings.  Suits any fertile soil - prone to frost damage in colder inland areas.

G.l. 'Dickinsons Cream' -splashed marbled cream and green foliage.

G.l. 'Variegata' - very conspicuously white variegated foliage.

Hebe x andersonii 'Variegata' - ideal for industrial and seaside areas.  1.5m high.  Suits any well drained soil, this form has leaves with broad creamy white margins.  Lavender blue and white flowers in August/September.

H. x franciscana 'Variegata' - hardier than above.  Suits the same sites and conditions.  Leaves broadly edged with creamy white, excellent for low hedges.  Bright blue flowers.

H. glaucophylla 'Variegata' - a small neat shrub with greyish green leaves with creamy white margins.  White flowers produced in July and August.

Hydrangea macrophylla 'Maculata' - a medium sized lacecap Hydrangea of upright habit.  Flowerheads have a few small white ray floret.  Grown for its attractive foliage which has broad, creamy white margins, not good on dry soils.

Hydrangea 'Tricolor' - a choice strong growing lacecap with very attractive leaves which are variegated green grey and pale yellow.  Flowers are pinkish white in colour and are freely produced.

Hypericum x moserianum 'Tricolor' - hypericums will thrive on any soil in sun or shade and reward us with yellow flowers from July to October.  'Tricolor' is best in a sheltered position.  The leaves are variegated with white, pink, yellow and green. 0.5m high.

Ilex (Holly) - provide us with many variegated plants.  Most will succeed well in sun or shade and are ideal for hedging.  They will tolerate pollution and maritime exposure,  Male and female flowers are born on separate plants, so grow both to ensure berries.  Don't be fooled by the names.  Many with female sounding names are definitely MALE.  These are just a few of the variegated hollies available:

Ilex x alt. Maderensis Variegata - dark green leaves with central yellow splash.  Male

Ilex aquifolium 'Argentea Marginata Pendula' - weeping branches, white margined leaves.  Female.

Ilex aquifolium 'Aurea Ovata' - green/grey leaves with irregular yellow margin.  Male.

Ilex a.'Ferox Argentea' - silver hedgehog holly, creamy white leaf margins.  Spiney.  Male.

Ilex a. 'Golden King' - one of the best.  Spineless leaves with rich yellow margins.  Female.

Ilex a. 'Golden Queen' - spiney leaves with broad yellow margin.  A striking male.

Ilex a. 'Handsworth New Silver' - long grey green leaves with broad creamy white margin.  Female.

Ilex a. 'Silver Queen' leaves mottled grey with broad white margin.  Male.

Kerria japonica 'Variegata' - a suckering shrub up to 1.5m best thinned and pruned after flowering/  Creamy white variegated foliage with yellow flowers.

Leucothoe fontanesiana 'Rainbow' - ideal ground cover for acid soils.  Good autumn colour,  Leaves variegated with cream yellow and pink.  White in May.

Ligustrum ovalifolium 'Argenteum' - leaves with creamy white margin one of the variegated privets not particular as to soil, sun or shade.

Osmanthus heterophyllus - a slow growing holly-like shrub with sweetly scented flowers in the autumn.  Suits most soils, sun or shade.

O. heterophyllus 'Argenteomarginatus' - leaves bordered creamy white

O. heterophyllus 'Aueromarginatus' - leaves margined deep yellow.

O. heterophyllus 'Latifolius Variegatus' - a broad leaved form with silver variegations.

Pachysandra terminalis 'Variegata' - ideal for ground cover for moist shady sites 20cm high. Greenish white flowers in February/March. Leaves variegated white.

Philadelphus coronarius 'Variegatus' (Mock Orange) - these thrive on even the poorest, driest soils. The white flowers produced in June and July are fragrant. Leaves have creamy white margins. Up to 2m high.

Phormium tenax 'Variegatum' - the New Zealand Flax thrive in most fertile soils and are tolerant of exposure and hardy in most areas. Leaves have creamy white margin.

P. tenax 'Veitchii' - has striped creamy yellow leaves.

Pieris japonica 'Variegata' - slow growing similar to Rhododendrons requiring the same conditions. Flowers form in the autumn, finally opening in the spring - white and lily of the valley-like. Young leaves are creamy white flushed with pink. Slow growing - one of the best.

Pittosporum tenuifolium - New Zealand evergreen shrubs only suited to the milder regions, especially near the sea. Needs well drained soils can be used a hedging plant. The form 'Variegatum' has foliage margined creamy white and honey scented chocolate purple flowers in spring. Extensively used in floristry.

Prunus laurocerasus 'Variegata' (Common Laurel or Cherry Laurel) - vigorous spreading shrub up to 7m high and equally wide. Makes a good screen, white flowers in April followed by red berries turning to black. Tolerant of shade and drip from trees. Leaves heavily mottled, variegated creamy white.

Rhododendron ponticum 'Variegatum' - Ponticum is the most widely planted and very common in the British Isles. Naturalized extensively. Good for shelter belts and hedges and will grow under beech trees. Lilac pink flowers in April/May. The form 'Variegatum' is one of the few variegated Rhododendrons leaves margined creamy white.

Rubus microphyllus 'Variegatus' a small ornamental bramble of suckering habit-forming dense mounds of slender slightly prickly stems. The leaves are three lobed green mottled cream and pink.

Ruta graveolens 'Variegata' (Rue) - a small evergreen shrub, aromatic shrub up to 1m high with fern-like foliage terminating in yellow flowers from June to August. A very popular herb with reputed medicinal properties, cultivated in England for over 300 years. The variegated form has creamy white foliage.

Salvia officinalis 'Tricolor' (Sage) - another common herb this dwarf semi-evergreen herb has been grown for centuries. Bluish purple flowers in summer. The variegated form has grey green leaves splashed with creamy white and tinged with purple and pink.

Sambucus nigra - the common Elder forming a large shrub with fragrant heads of creamy white flowers in June followed by black fruits. Good on chalky soils. The forms S. 'Albovariegata' and S. 'Aureomarginata' have white/creamy and yellow leaf margins respectively.

Viburnum tinus 'Variegata' -one of the most popular evergreens. A medium-sized shrub of dense habit the pink budded white flowers appear from autumn until spring, followed by blue-black fruits, 'Variegata' is not recommended for cold areas with its conspicuous creamy white foliage.

Vinca major 'Variegata' (Greater Periwinkle) - good ground cover with blue flowers April to June. Leaves blotched and margined creamy white. Vigorous.

Vinca minor 'Variegata' (Lesser Periwinkle) - common cottage garden ground cover plant. Rooting as it spreads, blue flowers April-June and occasionally in autumn. Numerous named varieties, variegated creamy white.

Weigela florida 'Variegata' - a medium-sized shrub well suited to town gardens with reddish pink flowers in May and June. Leaves creamy white, one of the best variegated shrubs for general planting.

CONIFERS WITH VARIEGATED FOLIAGE

Calocedrus decurrens 'Aureovariegata'

Chamaecyparis lawsoniana several cultivars including:

C.l. 'Albospica'

C.l. 'Argenteovariegata'

C.l. 'Aureovariegata'

Chamaecyparis nootkatensis 'Aureovariegata'

Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Nana Variegata'

Juniperus x davurica 'Expansa Variegata'

Juniperus x media 'Plumosa Albovariegata'

J. x m . 'Plumosa Aureovariegata'

Taxus baccata 'Variegata'

Thuja plicata 'Zebrina'

Thujopsis dolabrata 'Variegata'

CLIMBERS WITH VARIEGATED FOLIAGE

Few climbers have variegated foliage. Those listed below are the best. (See Fact Sheet 55 - Wall Shrubs and 165 - Ivies for further details.)

Actinidia kolomikta

Ampelopsis brevipedunculata 'Elegans'

Hedera canariensis 'Variegata'

Hedera colchica 'Dentata Variegata'

Hedera 'Paddy's Pride'

Hedera helix 'Glacier'

H.h. 'Gold Hearty'

H.h. 'Marginata'

Jasminum officinale 'Aureovariegatum'

Kadsura japonica 'Variegata'

Lonicera japonica 'Aureoreticulata'

Trachelospermum jasminoides 'Variegatum

TREES WITH VARIEGATED FOLIAGE

Acer negundo 'Elegans' (Box Elder) - a fast growing small to medium sized tree. Leaves have broad irregular white margin. A very spectacular tree but unfortunately prone to dying back and reverting to green.

Acer platanoides 'Drummondii' (Norway Maple) - a handsome fast growing medium sized tree. Yellow flowers on bare stems in April. It is a very striking cultivar which tends to revert. Large leaves with distinct white margined band.

Acer pseudoplatanus (Sycamore) - a large tree ideal for exposed sites in almost any soil. The following are far smaller:

A.p . 'Leopoldii' - leaves yellowish splashed with pink.

A.p. 'Luteovirens' - leaves curiously marked cream and yellow.

A.p. 'Simon Louis Freres' - leaves variegated cream and purple. Slow growing.

Buxus sempervirens 'Aurea Pendula' - an attractive form of Box, forming a large shrub or small tree with weeping branchlets. Leaves mottled and blotched creamy yellow. B. s. 'Argentea', B. s. 'Aureovariegata' and B. s. 'Elegantissima' are all variegated and form smaller shrubs.

Castanea sativa (Sweet or Spanish Chestnut) - a fast-growing large tree, requiring a hot summer to produce the nuts which follow the male and female catkins in July.

C.s. 'Albomarginata' - has attractive leaves bordered with creamy white margins

C.s. 'Aureomarginata' - has leaves bordered with yellow.

Cornus controversa 'Variegata' - a magnificent small tree with creamy white flowers in May, followed by black fruits in the autumn. Slow growing, striking silvery variegation and good rich autumn colour. One of the best.

Cornus mas 'Variegata' (Cornelian Cherry) - an outstanding large shrub or small tree, producing many small yellow flowers on naked stems in February. Leaves conspicuously marked white.

Fagus sylvatica 'Luteovariegata' - a variegated form of the common beech, forming a large tree. Will thrive on any well drained soil.

F.s. 'Albovariegata' - leaves streaked white.

F.s. 'Roseomarginata' - purple leaves having irregular pale pink borders. Slow growing.

Liriodendron tulipifera 'Aureomarginatum' (Tulip Tree) - a fast growing tree with good yellow autumn colour. Peculiar tulip-shaped green yellow flowers appear in June/July on older trees only. The leaves are bordered yellow or greenish yellow.

Populus x candicans 'Aurora' (Ontaria Poplar) - a medium-sized broad headed tree for any soil or site except shallow chalk. Leaves, especially when young, are creamy white often tinged pink. Older leaves are green. For best results, hard prune shoots in winter. Foliage is balsam scented - beware of problems of poplars and their suckers.

FURTHER READING

The first two books mentioned are extremely expensive reference manuals. Many good gardening books will have a section on variegated shrubs and trees.

Trees and Shrubs Hardy in the British Isles - W J Bean - 8th edition 5 vol set. J Murray

Manual of Cultivated Broad Leaved Trees and Shrubs - G Krussman. 3 vol set. Batsford

Hilliers Manual of Trees and Shrubs

Plant Names Simplified by A J Johnson

The information given in this Fact Sheet is provided in good faith. It is however of necessity general information and advice on the topic. Howard Drury will not be under any liability in respect of the provision of such advice and information, and you are strongly advised to seek independent advice on any particular gardening problems or queries you may have, preferably from experts who can (when appropriate) inspect the problem before providing advice.

(C) 2025. This material has been produced by Howard Drury and must not be reproduced in part or full without the written consent of Howard Drury, Kings Heath Birmingham, B13 0SJ.

JHD/17/02/2025