Variegated plants are the ‘marmite’ plants in the gardening world – people seem to love them or loathe them. In recent episodes of the Gardens Illustrated podcast, Talking Gardens, two horticultural experts have made it clear that they dislike variegated plants.
Troy Scott Smith, head gardener at Sissinghurst Castle Garden, told editor Stephanie Mahon: “Who likes them? Really? And what's their purpose in life? I say that with some jest, but I've been fortunate in that I've worked at gardens where the people who made those gardens – Sissinghurst, Bodnant – equally didn't like variegated plants so I've never really been introduced to them or had to use them. Maybe I'm being unfair because I haven't really used them, but the ones I've seen, I don't really like."
Listen to Talking Gardens with Troy
Plant expert and broadcaster James Wong was equally vocal about his dislike of variegated plants. 'They're absolutely terrible, and every time I say it, I get into trouble. I get that there is a visual interest in something being variegated, but when you make things variegated, they all look the same, whether it's an ivy or a really rare philodendron."
Variegated plant fans
However some gardeners, however, are in favour of variegated plants. Matthew Pottage, curator at RHS Garden Wisley, told us: "I’m a massive fan of variegated plants! I would challenge the haters to confess if they have any variegated hostas in their gardens, because I reckon they would. Variegated hostas seem to fly under the radar of the 'variegation snobs', as I like to call them. I think variegated plants do have a place in the garden – they can liven up a shady corner in a way that green plants cannot. For example Fatsia japonica ‘Spiders Web’ is superb in a glum corner, as is Hosta ‘White Feather’."
What are variegated plants anyway?
Åsa Gregers-Warg, head gardener at the Beth Chatto Gardens also appreciates variegated plants. "I used to think I didn’t like variegated plants, but over the years I’ve come to realise how useful they can be, if one selects carefully. They can easily be too much of a good thing, so I tend to use them sparingly; never to create drama, only to make a border more visually interesting by adding contrast, creating a focal point or to make a dark, dull corner come alive. I think leaves that are edged with a different colour often look far more refined than blotched and speckled foliage, which sometimes can look a bit garish."
Placing is key
Careful placing seems to be the key to using variegated plants. "It takes skill to position variegated plants, and some white variegated plants burn in full sun, so it is easier to avoid them and whack in their green cousins," admits Matthew Pottage. "But with the right thought and consideration, they can add huge value to the colour palette of a garden or border. I admit some have been terribly over-used such as Euonymus fortunei ‘Emerald and Gold’, which I really don’t enjoy, but some superstars such as Liriodendron tulipifera ‘Snowbird’ are just spectacular when positioned well."
Åsa Gregers-Warg adds: "I generally prefer using plants with white or cream-coloured markings and subtle variegation patterns, using them sparingly to avoid making an overly busy scene. Although striking foliage and bright blossom can work in some settings, I much prefer an understated look, and always set them against neighbours with solid-green foliage for a harmonious effect. As always, it comes down to finding the right plant, not only suited for the growing conditions you’ve got, but also for painting the picture you’re trying to achieve."
Here's our list of the most beautiful variegated plants.
Our social media poll
We asked Gardens Illustrated followers on social media how they felt about variegated plants. The response was mixed. On Instagram, 62 per cent were 'for' variegated plants, and 38 per cent 'against' them. On Twitter, 56 per cent said they love variegated plants, with 12 per cent loathing them and 32 per cent with no strong feelings either way.
Several respondents were not so keen on golden or yellow variegation, preferring white or cream. @mccanneleanor said: "Some plants with silvery-cream variegation can be beautiful, bringing light and dappling to shaded areas - but golden variegation = yellow = sickly-looking to me and I can't quite get past that!". Several respondents had a particular affection for 'Brunnera macrophylla 'Jack Frost', while the variegated Aucuba japonica was particularly unpopular.
A beautiful variegated garden
In the April 2023 issue of Gardens Illustrated, we featured a beautiful garden on a shady site in San Francisco, which featured a limited palette of three variegated plants, used to beautiful effect. Landscape architect at Surfacedesign, Roderick Wyllie worked on the project with colleague Michal Kapitulnik. "After years of avoiding variegated plants, we were really interested in using them here." The palette of variegated plants in the garden is limited to just three plants – Hylotelephium ‘Autumn Charm’ (sedum), Miscanthus sinensis ‘Morning Light’ and Carex oshimensis Everest (= ‘Fiwhite’). Their pale tones bringing a wash of light to the north-facing space, and complement the white blossom of the trio of dogwoods in the garden. “The variegation is interesting in itself but it also provides an almost glowing light effect in the evening,” says Roderick.
Variegated house plants
Variegated house plants are highly sought after. In 2021, a variegated Rhapidophora tetrasperma, also known as a mini Monstera and Ginny philodendron (actually neither a Monstera or a Philodendron), created a bidding frenzy on a New Zealand bidding site and eventually sold for £14,000. Variegated Swiss cheese plants such as Monstera deliciosa ‘Albo’ sell for over £100, considerably more than their all-green counterparts.
New variegated plants
And new variegated plants for the garden continue to be introduced. At this year's RHS Chelsea Flower Show, Botanic Nursery will be showing a rare variegated lilac, Syringa emodi 'Variegata'. "Often show judges are not so keen to see a shrub that's not in flower, but we're quite happy to show this beautiful lilac in leaf, even if it means we get a Silver medal, because it looks so pretty."