“Two-tone foliage can liven up every kind of garden,” says Louise
Foliage featuring two or more colours in a single leaf has lots of uses in the garden. And it’s not just shrubs that deliver this stunning effect, as Louise Curley explains
WHILE the majority of the plants in our gardens have leaves that are a single colour, others stand out from the crowd due to their two-tone or multicoloured foliage. And although it is shrubs that most commonly exhibit this characteristic, variegated plants come in all manner of forms, including trees, perennials, bulbs, grasses – even succulents.
The most common type of variegation is bi-coloured and it generally consists of green alongside either white, cream or yellow. But a whole range of other colours can appear, from purple and pink to red and orange. In some plants, several different colours can be seen, with spectacular results. And variegation can appear in the form of differentcoloured leaf margins, splashes, spots, stripes and marbling.
As versatile as they are varied, variegated plants can be used to lighten a patch of green foliage or the dappled shade beneath a deciduous tree. They work particularly well in front of the dark backdrop of a plain evergreen hedge.
A multitude of uses
Green leaves with hints of white or cream are a useful addition to a white border, providing added texture and structure while continuing the monochrome theme. It’s also possible to match non-green and white colour variegations with the flowers and foliage of other plants, creating a harmonious feel. The key to success is to use these plants sparingly, otherwise the effect can be overwhelming.
Variegation arises in plants that have less chlorophyll in their leaves. As a result, they are able to absorb less sunlight, so they grow more slowly than their mono-colour relatives. It’s important, therefore, to take time preparing the soil before planting, incorporating well-rotted compost and sprinkling mycorrhizal fungi into the planting hole and onto the roots of your plants. This will help them to establish. Some variegated plants can be scorched by
strong sunlight while others won’t develop such strong colour variations if planted in deep shade. Take the time to research the optimum planting location – a slightly shady spot or somewhere out of the midday sun is usually ideal.