Top 5... variegated evergreen shrubs
These vibrant plants will be a focal point in your garden whatever the weather
1 Daphne odora ‘Rebecca’
Slow-growing, rounded shrub. Narrow leaves with bold creamy margin. Posies of sweetly scented, pale pink flowers from winter to early spring. Moist, but welldrained soil with plenty of humus, in sun or semi-shade. H/S: 1.2m (4ft).
Tip Plants don’t like being moved or excessively pruned.
From www.classicroses.co.uk; tel: 01953 454707.
2 Euonymus fortunei ‘Harlequin’
Tough, but vibrantly variegated, spreading variety. New shoots almost white, but gradually becoming mottled green. Good ground cover beneath shrubs and trees. Any soil, as long as not waterlogged, in sun or shade. H/S: 45cm (1½ft).
Tip Remove any completely green shoots as they appear. From www.ashwoodnurseries. com; tel: 01384 401996.
3 Ilex aquifolium ‘Ferox Argentea’
Hedgehog holly has boldly variegated leaves covered with curious spiny patches. Fairly slow-growing and makes a good screen. Any moist, well-drained soil in sun or semi-shade. H: 2.4m (8ft), S: 1.8m (6ft). Tip Male holly, so no berries, but suitable for pollinating female varieties. From www.ashwood nurseries.com; tel: 01384 401996.
4 Osmanthus heterophyllus ‘Goshiki’
Fairly slow-growing, holly-like shrub with spiny leaves speckled with cream, pink-toned on young growth. Clusters of small, fragrant, white flowers in late summer and autumn. Any moist, well-drained soil in sun or semi-shade. H/S: 1.5m (5ft).
Tip Remove lower branches as it grows taller to create an effective standard specimen.
From www.burncoose.co.uk; tel: 01209 860316.
5 Photinia fraseri ‘Pink Marble’
A sport of ‘Red Robin’ with creamy marbled leaves, flushed pink when young. Reasonably fast growing, so good for back of a border. Any moist, well-drained soil in sun or semi-shade. H: 4m (13ft), S: 2.5m (8ft).
Tip Can be hard-pruned so makes an effective colourful informal hedge.
From www.burncoose.co.uk; tel: 01209 860316.