Plants with variegated foliage
Variegated evergreen foliage provides year-round colour and interest and can brighten up a corner. A sustainable planting combination makes for a full and attractive border that is more resilient to climatic challenges
Quick facts
- Colourful foliage can be used to break up green borders and add winter interest
- Many variegated shrubs retain their colourful foliage in partial shade
- Variegated plants can be used in both formal and informal garden styles
Jump to
The planting plan
This planting design provides a range of
Plants with variegated coloured foliage
Choosing plants with variegated foliage
Leaf adaptations allow plants to withstand heat and drought well. The thick leathery leaves of the Pittosporum and the Griselinia, and the hairy leaves of the Salvia, reduce the water lost from the foliage.
Some of these plants will also attract vital pollinators to your garden, helping to improve biodiversity.
The Carex and Thymus form groundcover, which suppresses weed growth and helps to cover the soil. Keeping ground covered reduces soil erosion and the loss of water from the soil surface by evaporation. Using an organic mulch, preferably homemade compost, while the plants establish can help to provide the same benefits.
1 - Griselinia littoralis ‘Variegata’(v)
2 - Pittosporum tenuifolium ‘Silver Queen’ (f/v)
3 - Veronica elliptica ‘Variegata’
4 - Salvia officinalis ‘Tricolor’ (v)
5 - Thymus ‘Silver Queen’ (v)
6 - Carex oshimensis ‘Evergold’ (v)
2 – Pittosporum tenuifolium ‘Silver Queen’ (f/v) is an evergreen shrub with rounded, grey-green leaves, narrowly margined with creamy white. Small, deep purple flowers are produced in late spring and summer.
3 – Veronica elliptica ‘Variegata’ is an evergreen shrub with glossy green leaves bordered with creamy yellow to white. Purple flowers are borne in short, stout spikes from midsummer to autumn.
4 – Salvia officinalis ‘Tricolor’ (v) is an evergreen sub-shrub with fragrant grey-green leaves variegated with cream, and flushed with purple on the youngest growth. Light blue flowers open in early summer.
5 - Thymus ‘Silver Queen’ (v) is a low-growing evergreen sub-shrub with small, fragrant dark green leaves outlined with creamy-white, and clusters of tiny, pale mauve flowers in summer.
6 – Carex oshimensis ‘Evergold’(v) is an evergreen sedge with narrow, arching leaves, each with a central yellow stripe. Brown flowers are produced in summer.
About plants with variegated foliage
By using plants that are also well suited to the planting situation, the plants tend to be stronger and more naturally resistant to pests and disease. Once the plants are established, this will reduce the need for extra inputs that less well-adapted plants would need, such as excessive water and fertiliser.
Growing plants with variegated foliage
AGM plants tend to be more naturally resistant to pests and disease and, once established, will reduce the need for extra inputs that weaker-growing plants would need, such as excessive water and fertiliser.
A simple planting plan helps create depth, interest and good coverage in a border.
Why choose a sustainable planting combination
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.