The Top 25 Variegated Plants!

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Posted by @dave on
Let's open Variegated Plants week with a list of the most active variegated plants in our database. Among the thousands present, which ones have the most pictures, comments and other details added? Let's find out!

Photo by Paul2032
#1: Goutweed (Aegopodium podagraria 'Variegatum')

@jmorth says, "Introduced to England by Roman invaders as an edible salad ingredient and pot herb. The young leaves are translucent and shiny green. Tender and aromatic, they are excellent additions to salads as are young stems. When older, stems cooked with cheese
Used as treatment for gout in Middle Ages and Renaissance. Saint Gerard's (1726-1755) gout was reportedly cured by the plant and is where one of its common names (Herb Gerard) originated.
Naturalized in many areas of North America, including most of Canada and the eastern United States
Can be invasive.
Mine usually are grown in dry shade. Sometimes summer heat would take its toll, leaving leaves in dire straits, but mowing once seemed to revitalize it."
Photo by Paul2032
#2: Hosta (Hosta sieboldiana var. montana 'Aureomarginata')

@virginiarose says, "The border will look chartreuse, gold, or white depending on the amount of sun."

@virginiarose added, "H. longipes, H. kikutii and H. montana cultivars and all of their variants and hybrids would be good choices to survive extremely dry and hot conditions."
Photo by SongofJoy
#3: Hosta (Hosta 'Grand Tiara')

@virginiarose says, "This is the only Hosta that sat in full sun all summer and did not fry or receive even half the water that the others got. Very tough hosta."

@virginiarose added, "Discovered at Virginia's Mobjack Nursery and first auctioned for $700 at the 92 hosta convention."
Photo by gardenersdetective
#4: Canna Lily (Canna Tropicanna®)

@gardenersdetective says, "Bright orange flower adds wow factor to any sunny location. Well worth overwintering in northern climates. Here's how:
When these plants die back, these underground structures can be dug and stored in a cool, dark place through the winter. The best time to dig the bulbs and tubers is after a light frost has killed the tops back. Trim the stems down to 4-6 inches and dig the plant up. Allow the tubers to dry slightly for a day or so before storing. Place the tubers in a crate or box with ventilation holes and bury the tubers in peat moss or wood shavings. You can bring a trash bag to your local hardware store where they cut the wood and ask them to empty their bin of saw dust.
Place the box in a cool (45-50 degree), dark area. Inspect the tubers regularly through the winter checking for rotting or excessive shrinkage. If tubers are drying out, add just a small amount of moisture to the peat. About 4-6 weeks before the last frost in the spring, pot the dormant tubers and place them in a warm, sunny area. This will give you a head start on having some tropical transplants for your garden."
Photo by eclayne
#5: Coral Bells (Heuchera sanguinea 'Snow Angel')

@eclayne says, "Snow Angel is my favorite Heuchera. Its abundant coral pink flowers contrast perfectly with the foliage and given its decent size, puts on quite a show for around 4 weeks. It's also one of the most vigorous Heuchera I have, increasing well and tolerating full sun, at least southern New England full sun."
Photo by tabby
#6: Rocky Mountain Columbine (Aquilegia coerulea)

@Skiekitty says, "The two pictures here are from actually 2 different columbines. The purplish/white is the "Colorado Blue" columbine. The blue/yellow is a different columbine. Mine grew to only about 16" tall and about 12" this year. Xeric plants. They're in more full sun than my other columbines."

@jmorth added, "State flower of Colorado. If found picking or harming the flower there, you may be levied a stiff fine.
Flower is pollinated by hummingbirds, moths, and butterflies. Pollinators need a long tongue to reach the nectar."
Photo by Paul2032
#7: Hosta (Hosta sieboldiana var. montana 'On Stage')

@virginiarose says, "Also known as H. montana 'Choko Nishiki'. Hosta 'On Stage' is a sport of H. montana. Bright, golden-yellow, thick leaves with irregular green margins. A fast grower. Sun and Slug resistant."

@ViolaAnn added, "Lovely colour in the spring and early summer. It will darken later in the season - usually sometime in July in my zone."
Photo by Sharon
#9: Houttuynia (Houttuynia cordata 'Chameleon')

@Sharon says, "This little plant is a happy ground cover for shady areas. It has a tiny white bloom, much like a strawberry plant in mid spring. It is considered invasive in some climates, but it has taken 4 years for it to fill in a 2' x 4' semi shaded area here in zone 6/7."
Photo by gardengus
#10: Perilla (Perilla 'Magilla')

@gardengus says, "While this plant looks like coleus cuttings, they do not root nearly as well in water"

@jmorth added, "Introduced to public in 2002."
Photo by SongofJoy
#11: Variegated Greater Periwinkle (Vinca major 'Variegata')

@Sharon says, "This is a gorgeous plant for shade, but it is terribly and very quickly invasive. Its long vines need to be kept trimmed, but it grows well in shady areas where nothing else will grow. It also has one of the earliest spring blooms."

@SongofJoy added, "This is a great container plant here. Just be sure to keep it trimmed in the pot. It will root anywhere it touches the ground."
Photo by plantladylin
#12: Earth Star (Cryptanthus bivittatus)

@plantladylin says, "Native to Brazil, Cryptanthus bivittatus is a slow-growing, spreading bromeliad that has stiff, variegated leaves growing in a rosette form. Mature plants bear small inconspicuous three petaled white flowers at the center of the rosette, usually in early spring. Cryptanthus gets its common names of Earth Star and Starfish Plant from the form/shape of the plant -- the slim elongated leaves with pointed tips forming a rosette that resembles a star. Propagation is by offsets or little "pups" that form at the base of the parent plant and also at the leaf axils. Cryptanthus bivittatus prefers a well-draining potting medium and bright light. The leaf color will change depending on the light intensity. Keep from direct hot sunlight, which will scorch and fade the foliage."
Photo by Marilyn
#13: Scarlet Sage (Salvia 'Dancing Flames')

@Marilyn says, "I've planted Salvia 'Dancing Flames' (in a container) before, but this year it looked even better!

I always had it planted with other plants and this year was no exception. I had planted two different Pentas and Salvia 'Black and Blue.' As I look at one of the photos I had posted, I remember now that I had added compost in addition to the potting soil. That might be the key for it looking better this year. Of course, I had fertilized it and kept up on the watering.

Next year I decided to plant it in container by itself, since it looks so great. It will grow and bloom better without other plants competing with it."
Photo by Paul2032
#14: Florist's Cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum)

@plantladylin says, "Florist's Cyclamen is a tuberous perennial growing to about 8" tall with heart-shaped leaves, sometimes showing silver veining. The pretty little flowers are produced on long stems held upright above the foliage and can be in shades of pink, red, and white. I purchase these plants to enjoy over the holiday season, and into early spring."
Photo by bendee31
#15: Flapjacks (Kalanchoe luciae subsp. luciae 'Fantastic')

@ge1836 says, "Beautiful red edges."
Photo by Calif_Sue
#16: Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans 'Burgundy Glow')

@imabirdnut says, "Beautiful & colorful groundcover for shady areas"
Photo by bonitin
#17: Inch Plant (Tradescantia zebrina)

@plantladylin says, "Tradescantia zebrina is native to the gulf cost region of Mexico but has become naturalized in moist, disturbed hardwood forests in southern and central Florida. It has a trailing habit and forms dense mats with branches climbing over each other. The leaves are dark purple on the reverse side while the top has a zebra pattern striped with silver and burgundy. The color is intense on new growth and fades somewhat with age. When grown as a houseplant, Tradescantia zebrina usually ends up becoming leggy and unattractive, but new plants can be made by rooting cuttings in either water or an organic potting medium.

This plant prefers a rich, organic evenly moist soil and a bright shady location. Unlike other Tradescantias, T. zebrina has a clear, watery sap that can cause skin irritation in some individuals, so care should be taken when pruning or coming into contact with broken stems."
Photo by Dutchlady1
#18: Philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum var. oxycardium 'Brasil')

@plantladylin says, "Philodendron hederaceum is a vine found in the rain forests of Mexico, Central America, South America, and parts of the Caribbean. Most of us are familiar with the juvenile form of this vine with the heart-shaped leaves. A favorite house plant for many of us, it is commonly sold in our local garden centers. Some varieties of Philodendron hederaceum have leaves with a reddish-purple reverse side, some have soft velvety leaves, and some, such as the variety Brasil, have a cream to yellow variegation in the leaves. As the plants mature, those with the velvety leaves will lose that soft velvet feel and appearance, and those with the variegated color will lose any variegation and the leaves will be solid green. In their natural habitat these plants climb high into the tree canopy, and the leaves can reach up to 19 inches in length. All varieties of Philodendron hederaceum will do okay in lower light situations, but they really prefer bright light and high humidity to do well. They prefer something to climb on, and the brighter the light and higher they climb, the larger the leaves will grow. Philodendron hederaceum is hemiepiphytic, meaning it will grow on trees or in soil. Seeds are dispersed by birds and attach to tree branches as well as dropping to the ground below.
Prefers bright light, high humidity, and a well-draining potting medium.

Synonym - Philodendron micans
Synonym - Philodendron scandens"
#19: Taro (Colocasia esculenta 'Mojito')

@eclayne says, "Great colors and form and it likes full sun here. This year, 2012, they reached 5 feet plus and produced loads of pups close to the crown. The parent tuber rotted after potting up for overwintering 2011-12. Three pups survived and were potted up. Two were then planted in ground in mid-May. Both produced tubers large enough to overwinter,...hopefully.

Per the plant patent statement by Agristarts "...a naturally-occurring branch mutation of Colocasia esculenta `Midnight`..." Elephant Ear (Colocasia esculenta 'Midnight')"
Photo by chelle
#20: Dwarf Tulip (Tulipa greigii 'Red Riding Hood')

@okus says, "Because they are so much shorter than ordinary tulips, these are great for giving a spring show in windy areas."
Photo by NJBob
#21: Adam's Needle (Yucca filamentosa 'Color Guard')

@clintbrown says, "This plant is perfect for all-year interest. It always looks good. It is perfect for containers too."
Photo by Kelli
#22: Single Late Tulip (Tulipa 'Antoinette')

@dorab says, "I was unable to find a single late tulip named antoinette by googling. However the description seems to fit otherwise."

@pardalinum added, "Antoinette opens yellow and becomes infused with pink as the blooms age. A multi-flowered tulip, it has a long bloom period. The leaves are edged cream. Highly recommended!"
Photo by sandnsea2
#23: Zebra Grass (Miscanthus sinensis 'Zebrinus')

@sandnsea2 says, "This is a great plant in so many ways, but it must be given plenty of room. The fall interest it provides is important and the feathery heads are graceful and billowy. In summer the striped leaves are pretty and interesting. This is a perfect "back of the border" plant. It does take a few years to mature into the clump you see in the photo, which is 4 years old in my garden.This is one plant I would not want to be without.
I am in Zone 7A."
Photo by Calif_Sue
#24: Mayapple (Podophyllum 'Spotty Dotty')

@Strever says, "Spotty Dotty is a very vigorous patented hybrid created by Janet Egger at Terra Nova Nurseries in Portland Oregon, originating from a cross between Podophyllum hybrid '374' (an unpatented proprietary plant) as the seed parent and a highly colored Podophyllum delavayi '64' (an unpatented proprietary plant) as the pollen parent. The seed parent, Podophyllum hybrid '374', is an outstanding selection from a hybrid swarm from a Japanese nursery, which is believed to have come from P. difforme, P. delavayi , and P. versipelle.
see the patent here http://www.freepatentsonline.c...

this plant has been a very good grower here under the redwoods for me"
Photo by Paul2032
#25: Daylily (Hemerocallis 'Malja')

@Calif_Sue says, "Registered with the American Hemerocallis Society as 'Malja' but it has a trademark name of "Golden Zebra®' that is used in the landscape and nursery trade."


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Comments and Discussion
Thread Title Last Reply Replies
Oh thanks a lot! by crittergarden Oct 31, 2017 11:57 PM 1
Goutweed, Houttuynia (Houttuynia cordata 'Chameleon'), Zebra Grass, Mayapple by Gardadore Apr 20, 2014 5:17 PM 6

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