ASHBURTON

Many variegated plants make a statement over a long period, whereas a flower will only last a few weeks or days.

- How to make the most of your variegated plants.

Some leaves have wonderful colourful veining and now we are seeing some amazing houseplants which can make a huge statement in your indoor living area. One plant that excites folk is the hosta which has bold foliage and changes daily right through to summer. There are now many wonderful cultivars from the large growers down to the miniature so they are well suited for all gardens large or small. ‘Gold Standard’ was a winner for me last season as it came up gold and green but retained its colour all season, and did not burn in the summer sun.

If you want something to plant on the edge of a border in a sunny position, try Agapanthus ‘Agapetite Sparkle’ which has dark green leaves edged gold, and in summer pure double white flowers appear which are sterile, hence do not seed.

Phlox paniculata ‘Norah Leigh’ is a star in my garden with pronounced creamy white variegated leaves and soft pink lavender flowers. This gem grows very upright and seems to like the afternoon shade, like many variegated perennials.

Grasses play an important part in any garden and they also add movement. Miscanthus sinensis ‘Morning Light’ is a real winner with narrow foliage with clean, uniformly white-edge leaf margins. This cultivar grows upright, up to 2.5m and looks stunning in late summer. I have mine in a little shade. I also use Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’ on the edge of the garden which gets a little afternoon shade and puts on a great lot of colour for up to six months. The leaves are mainly gold with a little green and arch to the ground and makes such a statement even in a pot. This gem has a creeping habit and can be easily controlled when dormant in winter.

Variegated trees can make a real statement if placed correctly – just make sure that they do not dominate the situation.

Maples are always a winner in any garden and there are many choice Japanese cultivars to suit the small or large garden. Acer palmatum ‘Geisha’ is a favourite of mine as it has wonderful pink variegations all summer and grows into an upright tree up to 3m. A. palmatum ‘Butterfly’ is another upright maple and this cultivar has green leaves edged with cream, and later in summer the cream turns pink.

If you have a large garden, plant Acer pseudoplatanus ‘Esk Sunset’ as it is a stunner which grows to 6m and the same width. In spring, salmon leaves unfold and as the spring progresses the upper leaves turn a spotted pink and the underside of the leaf turns purple. When the wind blows you create this wonderful range of colours which are a highlight. Cornus controversa ‘Variegata’ or the wedding cake tree should be in every large garden for both its form and colour, but if you have a smaller section plant Cornus alternifolia ‘Variegata’ as it’s a smaller version. Both need space and must be highlighted to make a statement as they are stunning when established and pruned correctly.

Why not try some variegated ilex in your garden as they are evergreen and stunning in the winter with their red berries. Many English gardens topiary their hollies and they look amazing when clipped especially when made a standard with a ball on top. They also look great in a large pot on the terrace but do make sure that you keep them well fertilised and watered.

The list could be endless but do try some variegated plants in your garden and you won’t be disappointed.

Variegated plants add a new dimension of colour which can include gold, red, yellow, white, orange and purple, shades and tints of cream or apricot tones.