SPOTLIGHT ON... variegated plants
Unnatural freaks of nature or sought–after collectables? Gardeners have strong opinions about variegated plants.
They occur as “sports” caused by minor genetic mutations. When a well–marked sport is discovered among cultivated plants in gardens or nurseries, it’s propagated. If good enough, it may become a new named variety.
There’s a place for some streaked, spotted, striped or speckly leaved plants in most gardens. In dull shady corners, variegated plants introduce splashes of light. On the patio they make showy backgrounds for tubs of annuals, and all round the garden, variegated trees, shrubs and perennials contrast well with flowers.
They are essential to brighten up foliage gardens and the single–colour schemes are great for creating sophisticated designer effects.
Try teaming linear grasses with chunky variegated hostas or use variegated exotics to beef up a tropical planting scheme.
Variegations aren’t all white, cream, gold or silver patterns on green leaves. You’ll also find plants with red, orange or yellow markings.
Some varieties are far more descriptive of the leaf pattern – look for Aureovariegatus (gold–variegated), Aureomarginata (gold–edged), Aureostriata (gold-striped), Aureomaculatum (gold-spotted), Aureoreticulata (gold–veined).
When the aureo is replaced by argenteo then you’ll have the same type of pattern but in silver instead.
Some of the most prolific groups of plants for throwing variegated forms include ivies, hostas and grasses/sedges.
But other stunners include multi–coloured phormiums (such as ‘Maori Sunrise’, striped in pink, bronze and apricot) and Acer negundo ‘Flamingo’ which has striking pink and cream variegations.