Over the fence

Are variegated plants an eyesore?

Rosy Hardy is owner of Hardy’s Cottage Garden Plants and a multiple Chelsea Gold Medal winner

Variegated plants are definitely a ‘Marmite’ subject

– you either love them or hate them. They’re also a very Englishgarden one. I personally like Marmite, but generally am not a fan of variegated plants – some of them are just so ugly and look sick. Whenever I see a variegated plant it makes me feel quite sad. They always look so unhappy.

This is not to say I hate all variegation, because as with all things there are always exceptions to the rule. But, in particular, I hate Aucuba japonica ‘Crotonifolia’, Farfugium japonicum giganteum (giant leopard plant) and Aquilegia vulgaris ‘Woodside Strain’, with its irregular yellow spotting, which is just awful. These plants look as though weedkiller has been liberally sprayed around and has left them looking sick and in need of help.

In the past I’ve been asked to launch variegated plants at flower shows – one being Euonymus fortunei ‘Harlequin’, which in truth I grew to like if only because it became hugely popular. We even have our own variegated perennial – Oenothera Freefolk Rosy. It has a subtle variegated edge around the leaves, which is very delicate and I’m happy with that.

The main reason people use variegated plants is to create a feeling of light and shade in their borders – but there are lots of other ways to create this effect, many of them far better, without resorting to the use of splotchy foliage. You can use plants with silver, limegreen, yellow or purple foliage for a far more attractive result. The most important thing is to use varying leaf shapes and plant forms. For instance, long, strappy leaves, filigree-cut ones and large, bold, round ones look great together, and they all make great foils for flowers. They’ll catch the light in different ways. You can use silver leaves as ground cover or for mid-height interest in a sunny spot, and lime-green or yellow in darker positions. Only use dark-purple leaves selectively, though, as they can be a bit recessive.

Of course, we don’t ban variegated plants at Hardy’s Cottage Garden Plants – I have to put my commercial head on as some customers really like variegation! So, we grow and sell a variety of different variegated plants. But personally, I’ll rarely allow any in my own garden.

Michael Perry is a gardening author, podcaster and social media influencer

Variegation has always had me in awe. I love how it punctuates the green of a leaf with some pizzazz, whether it’s shimmering gold, silver, white or even purple. Years ago, I was so obsessed that I even signed up to the Variegated Plants Group of the Hardy Plant Society. But, unbeknownst to me, there were plenty of people out there who found the plants ugly.

I find variegation glamorous and feel it adds another dimension to many of my favourite plants. On a practical level, variegation can help to light up a shady spot. Think how different a hosta corner would look with only green ones. Do bear in mind, though, that some plants might need more sun to provide better variegation. A few of my favourites illustrate the breadth of this alternative kingdom: Miscanthus sinensis ‘Zebrinus’ with its bold golden stripes; Weigela ‘Florida Variegata’, which pairs cream-lined foliage with pastel-pink blooms; and pulmonaria with its powderpuff-white spots.

We have variegation to thank for many house plants, too. Most spider plants are variegated forms of Chlorophytum comosum – although, controversially, I prefer the all-green version. It’s worth hunting one down for your windowsill as they look ace.

Variegation occurs through lack of chlorophyll, the pigment that makes plants green. The absence of green allows other shades to shine through. When it’s an inherited genetic characteristic, the colour flashes will be stable, and can be propagated and shared with like-minded variegation-lovers. When it’s a random thing, it’ll be harder to preserve the beauty. In this case you must only propagate from the variegated parts, which will invariably be weaker as they lack the chlorophyll needed to prosper.

Variegation can also be from a viral infection, which creates a netted effect, as in Lonicera japonica ‘Aureoreticulata’. You could be forgiven for turning your nose up at that particular variation.

I champion variegated plants wholeheartedly. They’re bright, cheerful and add a bit of spice. There’s something for everyone, whatever your personal taste. And, just remember, on scant levels of chlorophyll they overcame the odds even to exist, so they deserve a round of applause for that at least, surely?

Some of them are just so ugly and look sick

Variegation adds another dimension to many of my favourite plants