Horticulture Magazine

These 50 Variegated Plants Add Foliage Variation And Help Draw The Eye

a plant with variegated foliage with white and green colours
By ELIZABETH WADDINGTON
Elizabeth Waddington, MA, Dip.Perm.Des. - Garden Designer

Elizabeth is a Permaculture Garden Designer, Sustainability Consultant and Professional Writer, working as an advocate for positive change. She graduated from the University of St. Andrews with an MA in English and Philosophy and obtained a Diploma in Applied Permaculture Design from the Permaculture Association.

 / Updated September 23rd, 2024
Reviewed By COLIN SKELLY
Colin Skelly, MHort (RHS), MCIHort - Horticulturist

Colin is a Horticulturist and Horticultural Consultant with experience in a range of practical and managerial roles across heritage, commercial and public horticulture. He holds the Royal Horticultural Society’s Master of Horticulture award and has a particular interest in horticultural ecology and naturalistic planting for habitat and climate resilience.

 / Meets Our Editorial Guidelines

IN THIS GUIDE

Plants with variegated foliage can bring a lot of interest to your garden.

Variegated plants are plants with streaks, edging or splotches of different colours.

Usually, leaves will be in a combination of two colours – green and white or gold and green, though other variations are possible.

It is important to introduce variegated plants with care, as too much variegation can cause a frenzied effect, distracting the eye and detracting from the overall effect.

Sometimes, variegated plants divide opinion: some gardeners love them, others avoid them like the plague.

“I’m a pragmatist when it comes to variegated foliage,” shares Colin Skelly, a Master Horticulturist.

“Ordinarily I’m not drawn to them as individual specimens, but when designing, variegated plants are often a useful addition of foliage variation or to draw the eye.”

Variegated plants can sometimes detract from the natural look in a garden, but if they are carefully used, variegated plants can break up monotonous greens, or enliven a darker more shaded corner of your space.

a plant with white, purple and light and dark green leaves

We’ve produced a list of 50 interesting options which you might like to consider.

There are literally thousands of cultivars with variegated foliage; trees, shrubs, climbers and all sorts of herbaceous plants, so any list can only ever be highly selective.

However, it can be difficult to know where to begin when choosing variegated plants for your garden, so this list may help you to explore at least some of the options available.

Variegated Trees

Variegated trees can be statement pieces and can act as dramatic centrepieces for your planting schemes.

Here is a list of great variegated trees to consider:

1) Acer negundo
Acer negundo green leaves in the sunlight
  • COMMON NAME(S): Box Elder
  • HARDINESS RATING: H6
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: Deciduous
  • FOLIAGE: Green and yellow
  • FLOWERING SEASON(S): Spring
2) Acer platanoides ‘Drummondii’
Acer platanoides 'Drummondiii' with variegated green and cream leaves
  • COMMON NAME(S): Norway maple ‘Drummondii’
  • HARDINESS RATING: H7
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: Deciduous
  • FOLIAGE: Green, yellow and cream
  • FLOWERING SEASON(S): Spring
3) Acer pseudoplatanus f. variegatum ‘Simon-Louis Freres’
Acer pseudoplatanus f. variegatum 'Simon-Louis Freres' with pink, cream and green leaves growing outside
  • COMMON NAME(S): Variegated Sycamore ‘Simon-Louis Frères’
  • HARDINESS RATING: H7
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: Deciduous
  • FOLIAGE: Pink, green and white
4) Castanea sativa ‘Albomarginata’
Castanea sativa 'Albomarginata' growing outside with cream and green leaves and catkins
  • COMMON NAME(S): Sweet Chestnut ‘Albomarginata’
  • HARDINESS RATING: H6
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: Deciduous
  • FOLIAGE: Green and white
  • FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer
5) Cercis canadensis
Cercis canadensis tree with purple and green variegated leaves
  • COMMON NAME(S): Eastern Redbud
  • HARDINESS RATING: H5
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: Deciduous
  • FOLIAGE: Purple and green
  • FLOWERING SEASON(S): Spring
6) Cornus controversa ‘Variegata’
Cornus controversa 'Variegata' with variegated leaves growing outside with white flowers
  • COMMON NAME(S): Wedding Cake Tree
  • HARDINESS RATING: H5
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: Deciduous
  • FOLIAGE: Cream, green and yellow
  • FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer
7) Cornus kousa ‘Gold Star’
Cornus kousa 'Gold Star' with cream and green leaves and four-petal cream flowers
  • COMMON NAME(S): Kousa ‘Gold Star’
  • HARDINESS RATING: H6
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: Deciduous
  • FOLIAGE: Green, cream, yellow, red and purple
  • FLOWERING SEASON(S): Spring
  • FRUITING SEASON(S): Autumn
8) Ligustrum lucidum ‘Excelsum Superbum’
Ligustrum lucidum 'Excelsum Superbum' growing outside
  • COMMON NAME(S): Chinese privet ‘Excelsum Superbum’
  • HARDINESS RATING: H5
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: Evergreen
  • FOLIAGE: Green and yellow
  • FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer / Autumn
  • FRUITING SEASONS(S): Autumn
9) Liquidambar styraciflua
red and yellow leaves of a sweet gum tree (Liquidambar styraciflua) growing outside
  • COMMON NAME(S): Sweet Gum
  • HARDINESS RATING: H6
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: Deciduous
  • FOLIAGE: Green, orange, purple and red
  • FLOWERING SEASON(S): Spring
10) Salix integra ‘Hakuro-Nishiki’
Salix integra 'Hakuro-Nishiki' with pink, white and variegated leaves growing outside
  • COMMON NAME(S): Flamingo Willow
  • HARDINESS RATING: H5
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: Deciduous
  • FOLIAGE: Pink, green, white and cream
  • FLOWERING SEASON(S): Spring

Large Variegated Shrubs

Large shrubs can form the backbone of a garden design.

They can be used as stand-alone pieces to complement trees with variegated leaves, or they can work well at the back of borders, or around the edges of a garden.

Our top picks are outlined below:

11) Acer campestre ‘Carnival’
Acer campestre 'Carnival' plant with red and variegated leaves growing from its branch
  • COMMON NAME(S): Field Maple ‘Carnival’
  • HARDINESS RATING: H6
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: Deciduous
  • FOLIAGE: Pink, cream, green and yellow
12) Acer palmatum ‘Butterfly’
Acer palmatum 'Butterfly' with variegated star-shaped leaves of green and cream
  • COMMON NAME(S): Japanese Maple ‘Butterfly’
  • HARDINESS RATING: H6
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: Deciduous
  • FOLIAGE: Green and cream
  • FLOWERING SEASON(S): Spring
13) Aralia elata
Aralia elata with cream flowers and green leaves growing outside
  • COMMON NAME(S): Angelia Tree
  • HARDINESS RATING: H5
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: Deciduous
  • FOLIAGE: Green, orange and yellow
  • FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer / Autumn
14) Aucuba japonica ‘Golden King’
Aucuba japonica 'Golden King' shrub with yellow-spotted green leaves growing outdoors with other shrubs in the background
  • COMMON NAME(S): Japanese Laurel ‘Golden King’
  • HARDINESS RATING: H5
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: Evergreen
  • FOLIAGE: Green and yellow
  • FLOWERING SEASON(S): Spring
15) Berberis thunbergii f. atropurpurea  ‘Rose Glow’
Berberis thunbergii f. atropurpurea  'Rose Glow' shrub with deep red foliage
  • COMMON NAME(S): Japanese Barberry ‘Rose Glow’
  • HARDINESS RATING: H7
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: Deciduous
  • FOLIAGE: Pink, purple and white
  • FLOWERING SEASON(S): Spring
16) Elaeagnus x ebbingei ‘Limelight’
close up of Elaeagnus x ebbingei 'Limelight' with yellow and green leaves
  • COMMON NAME(S): Oleaster ‘Limelight’
  • HARDINESS RATING: H5
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: Evergreen
  • FOLIAGE: Silver, gold, cream and green
  • FLOWERING SEASON(S): Autumn
17) Elaeagnus pungens ‘Maculata’
Elaeagnus pungens 'Maculata' with green centres and yellow edges on the leaves
  • COMMON NAME(S): Oleaster ‘Maculata’
  • HARDINESS RATING: H5
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: Evergreen
  • FOLIAGE: Green, silver and yellow
  • FLOWERING SEASON(S): Autumn
  • FRUITING SEASON(S): Winter
18) Euonymus japonicus ‘Ovatus Aureus’
Euonymus japonicus 'Ovatus Aureus' with green and yellow variegated leaves
  • COMMON NAME(S): Spindle ‘Ovatus Aureus’
  • HARDINESS RATING: H5
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: Evergreen
  • FOLIAGE: Green and yellow
  • FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer
19) Ilex aquifolium ‘Argentea Marginata’
Ilex aquifolium 'Argentea Marginata' holly shrub with spiky leaves
  • COMMON NAME(S): Silver-Margined Holly
  • HARDINESS RATING: H6
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: Evergreen
  • FOLIAGE: Green, cream and pink
  • FLOWERING SEASON(S): Spring
  • FRUITING SEASON(S): Autumn / Winter
20) Viburnum tinus
laurustinus shrub with pink and white flowers growing outside with a blue sky behind it
  • COMMON NAME(S): Laurustinus
  • HARDINESS RATING: H4
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: Deciduous
  • FOLIAGE: Green and yellow
  • FLOWERING SEASON(S): Winter / Spring
  • FRUITING SEASON(S): Autumn / Winter

Small Variegated Shrubs

Smaller shrubs are also important in filling in mixed borders and filling in under-storey planting below and between trees and larger shrubs.

There is a huge range of different options of this type too.

One of the most popular variegated shrubs is Euonymous fortuneii and its varieties, such as ‘Emerald Gaiety’ and ‘Silver Queen’, are immensely popular.

These are not only popular as stand-alone plants but also for use in formal hedges, or mixed hedgerows.

Some small shrubs are not only attractive but also serve other functions.

Many on this list are great for garden wildlife and some shrubby herbs also provide edible yields.

Some great options to consider include:

21) Cistus x hybridus ‘Gold Prize’
Cistus x hybridus 'Gold Prize' in the Summer with white flowers and yellow centres and variegated leaves in the background
  • COMMON NAME(S): Rock Rose ‘Gold Prize’
  • HARDINESS RATING: H4
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: Evergreen
  • FOLIAGE: Green, cream and yellow
  • FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer
22) Caryopteris x clandonensis ‘White Surprise’
Caryopteris x clandonensis 'White Surprise' with long green leaves and white edges growing outdoors
  • COMMON NAME(S): Bluebeard ‘White Surprise’
  • HARDINESS RATING: H4
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: Deciduous
  • FOLIAGE: Green, cream and silver
  • FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer
  • FRUITING SEASON(S): Autumn
23) Euonymus fortuneii
Winter creeper shrub growing outdoors
  • COMMON NAME(S): Winter Creeper
  • HARDINESS RATING: H5
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: Evergreen
  • FOLIAGE: Green and yellow
  • FLOWERING SEASON(S): Spring
24) Fuchsia magellanica var. gracilis
Fuchsia magellanica var. gracilis with pink flowers, some still in buds
  • COMMON NAME(S): Hardy Fuchsia
  • HARDINESS RATING: H4
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: Deciduous
  • FOLIAGE: Green and yellow
  • FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer / Autumn
  • FRUITING SEASON(S): Autumn
25) Hebe × franciscana ‘Variegata’
Hebe × franciscana 'Variegata' with purple flowers and variegated leaves growing in a pot outdoors
  • COMMON NAME(S): Hebe ‘Silver Queen’
  • HARDINESS RATING: H3
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: Evergreen
  • FOLIAGE: Green, white, cream and yellow
  • FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer / Autumn
26) Leucothoe fontanesiana ‘Rainbow’
Leucothoe fontanesiana 'Rainbow' shrub with long green and pink leaves
  • COMMON NAME(S): Dog Hobble ‘Rainbow’
  • HARDINESS RATING: H6
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: Evergreen
  • FOLIAGE: Green, pink and cream
  • FLOWERING SEASON(S): Spring
27) Pieris japonica
Pieris japonica with red and green leaves growing outside
  • COMMON NAME(S): Lily-Of-The-Valley Bush
  • HARDINESS RATING: H5
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: Evergreen
  • FOLIAGE: Red, green and cream
  • FLOWERING SEASON(S): Spring
28) Salvia officinalis ‘Tricolor’
Salvia officinalis 'Tricolor' shrub with purple, green and white variegation
  • COMMON NAME(S): Sage ‘Tricolor’
  • HARDINESS RATING: H5
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: Evergreen
  • FOLIAGE: Green, cream, silver and purple
  • FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer
29) Thymus citriodorus (Pers.) Schreb. ‘Aureus’
Thymus citriodorus (Pers.) Schreb. 'Aureus' plant with small leaves
  • COMMON NAME(S): Golden Large Thyme
  • HARDINESS RATING: H5
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: Evergreen
  • FOLIAGE: Green and yellow
  • FLOWERING SEASON(S): Spring / Summer
30) Vinca major ‘Variegata’
Vinca major 'Variegata' growing outside in soil with purple flowers and green and cream foliage
  • COMMON NAME(S): Variegated Greater Periwinkle
  • HARDINESS RATING: H6
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: Evergreen
  • FOLIAGE: Green and cream
  • FLOWERING SEASON(S): Spring / Summer / Autumn

Variegated Climbers

I particularly enjoy adding plants with variegated foliage against walls or fences, where they can bring interest to what could be rather boring features.

Hedera helix and other ivies can be excellent choices for shaded, north-facing walls.

They not only look good, but also provide a spot for nesting birds, and benefit other wildlife in your garden.

Some of the best and most interesting climbers with variegated foliage to consider are:

31) Actinidia kolomikta
Actinidia kolomikta with green leaves and pink tips growing outside in the rain
  • COMMON NAME(S): Kolomikta
  • HARDINESS RATING: H5
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: Deciduous
  • FOLIAGE: Green and pink
  • FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer
  • FRUITING SEASON(S): Autumn
32) Ampelopsis brevipedunculata ‘Elegans’ 
Ampelopsis brevipedunculata 'Elegans' with blue and purple rounded fruits
  • COMMON NAME(S): Variegated Porcelain Berry
  • HARDINESS RATING: H6
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: Deciduous
  • FOLIAGE: Green, pink and white
  • FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer
  • FRUITING SEASON(S): Summer / Autumn
33) Hedera colchica ‘Dentata Variegata’
close-up of a leaf from a Hedera colchica 'Dentata Variegata' shrub with white and green variegation
  • COMMON NAME(S): Ivy ‘Dentata Variegata’
  • HARDINESS RATING: H5
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: Evergreen
  • FOLIAGE: Green and cream
  • FLOWERING SEASON(S): Autumn
  • FRUITING SEASON(S): Winter
34) Hedera helix ‘Glacier’
Hedera helix 'Glacier' shrub with white and green variegated leaves
  • COMMON NAME(S): Ivy ‘Glacier’
  • HARDINESS RATING: H6
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: Evergreen
  • FOLIAGE: Green and cream
35) Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris
Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris with white flowers and green and yellow leaves
  • COMMON NAME(S): Climbing Hydrangea
  • HARDINESS RATING: H5
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: Deciduous
  • FOLIAGE: Green and yellow
  • FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer
36) Jasminum nudiflorum
Jasminum nudiflorum with small yellow flowers growing on the stem
  • COMMON NAME(S): Winter Jasmine
  • HARDINESS RATING: H5
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: Deciduous
  • FOLIAGE: Green and cream
  • FLOWERING SEASON(S): Winter / Spring
37) Jasminum officinale ‘Argenteovariegatum’
Jasminum officinale 'Argenteovariegatum' with yellow and green variegation on its foliage
  • COMMON NAME(S): Jasmine ‘Argenteovariegatum’
  • HARDINESS RATING: H5
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: Deciduous
  • FOLIAGE: Green, silver and cream
  • FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer / Autumn
  • FRUITING SEASON(S): Autumn
38) Lonicera × italica Harlequin (‘Sherlite’)
Lonicera × italica Harlequin ('Sherlite') with pink flowers and leaves growing outdoors
  • COMMON NAME(S): Honeysuckle [Harlequin]
  • HARDINESS RATING: H5
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: Deciduous
  • FOLIAGE: Green, blue and cream
  • FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer
39) Lonicera japonica ‘Mint Crisp’
Lonicera japonica 'Mint Crisp' shrub with yellow flowers growing in front of a wire fence
  • COMMON NAME(S): Japanese honeysuckle ‘Mint Crisp’
  • HARDINESS RATING: H5
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: Semi-Evergreen
  • FOLIAGE: Green, cream and pink
  • FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer
  • FRUITING SEASON(S): Autumn
40) Trachelospermum jasminoides ‘Tricolor’
Trachelospermum jasminoides tricolor with pink and white flowers growing outside
  • COMMON NAME(S): Star Jasmine ‘Tricolor’
  • HARDINESS RATING: H4
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: Evergreen
  • FOLIAGE: Green, pink, cream, white and red
  • FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer

Herbaceous Plants With Variegation

Once you have placed your main trees and shrubs and considered climbers for walls or fences or other structures, you will of course turn your attention to the lower layers of planting, and consider the huge variety of herbaceous plants.

Non-woody plants also have an astounding number of options with beautiful variegated foliage.

Here are just a few of the interesting and attractive options that you could consider:

41) Astrantia major ‘Sunningdale Variegated’
Astrantia major 'Sunningdale Variegated' growing amongst blue myosotis flowers on the ground
  • COMMON NAME(S): Masterwort ‘Sunningdale Variegated’
  • HARDINESS RATING: H7
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: Deciduous
  • FOLIAGE: Green and cream
  • FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer
42) Aubrieta ‘Purple Cascade’
aubrieta 'Purple Cascade' plant with lots of small purple flowers
  • COMMON NAME(S): Aubrieta ‘Purple Cascade’
  • HARDINESS RATING: H6
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: Evergreen
  • FOLIAGE: Green and silver
  • FLOWERING SEASON(S): Spring / Summer
43) Brunnera macrophylla ‘Hadspen Cream’
close-up of the leaves on a Brunnera macrophylla 'Hadspen Cream' plant
  • COMMON NAME(S): Siberian bugloss ‘Hadspen Cream’
  • HARDINESS RATING: H6
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: Deciduous
  • FOLIAGE: Green and cream
  • FLOWERING SEASON(S): Spring
44) Geranium macrorrhizum ‘Variegatum’
Geranium macrorrhizum 'Variegatum' plant with lots of variegated leaves
  • COMMON NAME(S): Variegated Cranesbill
  • HARDINESS RATING: H7
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: Semi-Evergreen
  • FOLIAGE: Green and cream
  • FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer
45) Hosta ‘Cathedral Windows’
Hostas 'Cathedral Windows' plant with big variegated leaves growing in the ground with other shrubs in the background
  • COMMON NAME(S): Plantain Lily ‘Cathedral Windows’
  • HARDINESS RATING: H7
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: Deciduous
  • FOLIAGE: Green and yellow
46) Iris japonica ‘Variegata’
Iris japonica 'Variegata' plant with white and purple flower and long leaves
  • COMMON NAME(S): Variegated Fringed Iris
  • HARDINESS RATING: H4
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: Evergreen
  • FOLIAGE: Green and white
  • FLOWERING SEASON(S): Spring
47) Iris laevigata ‘Variegata’
Iris laevigata 'Variegata' with a purple flower and its long thin variegated foliage behind it
  • COMMON NAME(S): Variegated Japanese Iris
  • HARDINESS RATING: H6
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: Deciduous
  • FOLIAGE: Green and white
  • FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer
48) Mentha suaveolens ‘Variegata’
Mentha suaveolens 'Variegata' plant growing outside in a garden bed
  • COMMON NAME(S): Pineapple Mint
  • HARDINESS RATING: H5
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: Deciduous
  • FOLIAGE: Green and cream
  • FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer
49) Nepeta ‘Six Hills Gold’
Nepeta 'Six Hills Gold' plants growing in a cluster with lots of purple flowers
  • COMMON NAME(S): Catmint ‘Six Hills Gold’
  • HARDINESS RATING: H6
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: Deciduous
  • FOLIAGE: Green, silver and yellow
  • FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer / Autumn
50) Phlox paniculata ‘Becky Towe’
Phlox paniculata 'Becky Towe' plant with bright pink flowers and variegated foliage
  • COMMON NAME(S): Perennial Phlox ‘Becky Towe’
  • HARDINESS RATING: H7
  • FOLIAGE TYPE: Deciduous
  • FOLIAGE: Green and cream
  • FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer

If you do decide to place variegated plants in your garden, make sure to research the environmental requirements and the growing needs of the plants you are considering.

Remember, it’s important that you choose the right plant for the right place.

Light levels can be particularly important, since often, variegation will diminish or disappear if the appropriate levels of light are not available.

Variegation can be lost, and leaves will no longer have the same appearance.

This loss of variegation is called ‘reversion’.1Variegation. (n.d.). University of Washington Botanic Gardens. Retrieved March 27, 2023, from https://depts.washington.edu/hortlib/keyword/variegation/

If it occurs, make sure the plant is getting the light level it needs and prune out the reverted section as soon as you notice that it has appeared. 

If you do this, and the plant is in a suitable spot, it should retain its pleasing appearance.

References

Horticulture Magazine

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