While flowers are so often fleeting, foliage will keep a garden display going for many months. And this is especially true of plants with variegated foliage, splashed yellow, cream or white. It can induce one of those ‘Marmite moments’ – you either love it or hate it – but the choice is so wide that there is surely a variegated plant to suit all tastes and every location. These plants can be used to great effect to illuminate a shady spot, add contrast to an otherwise green backdrop, act as a focal point or provide year-round structural interest. Try one of our ten favourites and you may well be converted.
A striking evergreen shrub with glossy olive-green-and-cream leaves. In late winter to early spring, dark-pink buds open to pale-pink flowers that release a deliciously sweet scent. Plant in a sheltered spot in sun or part shade where its beauty and fragrance will invigorate you on a cold winter’s day. Water well until established, but daphnes dislike waterlogged soils and root disturbance – so choose your location with care. Grows to 1.5 metres.
Cornus controversa ‘Variegata’ is a small tree that’s been given the common name the wedding cake tree because of its tiered branches. This elegant dogwood is often grown as a feature plant in a lawn or border. Ideally, give it a dark backdrop to accentuate its pale structure. In spring it will bears clusters of tiny white flowers followed by small, dark, blue-black berries. Grows to 8m.
The new leaves of this maple have a soft pink flush, turning green with irregular white splashes. It’s pollution-resistant and can be planted in full sun where, amazingly, it won’t scorch. A fast-growing, small tree reaching 10-15m tall, it responds well to pollarding or pruning, which also
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