Variegated

How to choose a variegated plant

Start with the job, then pick the pattern. For hedges and borders with built in contrast, look to Gardenia 'Swirl', Variegated Weigela or the silver edged Smokie Coastal Rosemary. To cover a fence or wall, Variegated Jasmine, Ice Caps Creeping Fig, Variegated Ivy and the pink flowering Pandorea jasminoides all climb or scramble willingly. For strappy texture through a border, Variegated Flax Lily and Variegated Society Garlic hold their stripes year round, while Variegated Shell Ginger and Baptist's Pandanus bring a lusher tropical look. If you want a single statement, there are advanced specimens here too, from the Variegated New Zealand Christmas Tree to a full sized Variegated Elm.

Where variegated foliage works in Australian gardens

Cream and white markings read brightest against shade, which makes these plants the natural fix for dull south facing beds and the ground beneath established trees. In tropical and subtropical gardens, Variegated Shell Ginger and Baptist's Pandanus give colour every month of the year. In cooler southern gardens, Variegated Weigela, the camellia 'Emperor of Russia' and Variegated Elm are reliably frost hardy. On coastal and dry inland sites, Variegated Agave, Variegated Oleander and Smokie Coastal Rosemary keep their markings on very little water. Many of these plants flower well on top of the foliage show: the gardenias here sit within our wider flowering shrubs range, with more in the gardenia collection.

Planting and care: keeping the colour

Position decides how good the variegation looks. Most variegated plants colour best with morning sun and shelter from harsh afternoon sun, which can scorch the pale leaf margins. Deep shade does the opposite and dulls the contrast. Water deeply twice a week through the first summer, mulch 75mm deep with the mulch kept clear of stems, and feed lightly in spring. Heavy nitrogen pushes fast plain green growth at the expense of the pattern.

The one job specific to this collection is watching for reversion. If an all green shoot appears, cut it back to its point of origin as soon as you see it. Green shoots carry more chlorophyll, grow faster than the variegated wood, and will take over the plant within a couple of seasons if left.

Common questions

Why is my variegated plant turning green?

It is reverting. Some shoots mutate back to plain green, and because they photosynthesise more efficiently they quickly outgrow the rest of the plant. Prune every green shoot back to where it starts and the variegated growth stays in charge.

Do variegated plants grow more slowly?

Usually, yes. The pale sections of each leaf hold little chlorophyll, so expect roughly two thirds the pace of the equivalent green form. Allow for that in your spacing rather than planting tighter.

Which variegated plants handle full sun?

Variegated Agave, Variegated Oleander, Smokie Coastal Rosemary and Variegated Flax Lily all take open sun. Keep the shell ginger, ivy and Variegated Sensation Peace Lily in bright shade, especially north of Sydney. Spreading types like Ice Caps Creeping Fig also appear in our groundcover collection.

How do these plants arrive?

Everything here is delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95 and no minimum order. Advanced specimens are freighted at cost, and every plant is covered by the 30 day healthy plant guarantee.