Shrubs add structure and profundity to the landscape painting as substantial mid - story form that function as specimen plantings , backcloth to low profile plants , and transitional armature between primer and canopy layers .
There are also heavyset variety suited for small spaces and container growing .
It ’s easy to overlook the Bush in our yard as nondescript blob that we garden around .
Gardenia jasminoides‘Variegata.’ Photo by Mokkie, Wikimedia Commons, viaCC BY-SA 3.0.
We relate to vendors to help you find relevant product . If you grease one’s palms from one of our link , we may earn a delegacy .
However , when they have eye - catching qualities , they on the spur of the moment pop into focus , increasing their garden value . A trait I particularly love is variegated leaves .
leafage that is variegate has more than one color on each foliage . A pattern may be uniform , with all leaves the same , or random , with variation among the leaves .
Gardenia jasminoides‘Variegata.’ Photo by Mokkie, Wikimedia Commons, viaCC BY-SA 3.0.
Patterns include markings like streaking , blotching , distinguish , and outlining in one or more coloring material . Sometimes they are a species ’ lifelike inclination , but they can also be the result of rare genetic mutations .
When unusual color hap , the presenting plant life is call a “ summercater . ” Thanks to the legerdemain of plant genteelness , play can be reproduced and interbreed cover , for an ever - increasing array of shrubbery characteristics .
In this clause , we bring in you a roundup of 23 of our favorite variegate shrubs for the base garden .
23 of the Best Variegated Landscape Shrubs
With so many to choose from , I have a go at it you ’re eager to get begin , so here we go !
1. Abelia
Abeliaxgrandiflora‘Kaleidoscope ’ inhabit up to its name with lime green leafage border in yellowness that turn from bronze to orange and cherry hues as the growing season wear out on .
It thrive in Zones 6 to 9 and is the long bloom of all theAbeliaspecies .
‘ Kaleidoscope’Abelia
This stocky bush tops out at 36 inches tall , and varies in width from 36 to 40 inches . It ’s a tractor trailer - evergreen plant that keeps its leaves in the warmest regions .
Pink buds and white bloom in spring , as well as ruby - hued stems , accent an already jubilant foliar display .
‘ Kaleidoscope ’ want a full sun to part wraith location . It tolerates pitiable soil , heat , and drouth , and is not attractive to cervid .
Pot it up , add it to a miscellaneous layer , create a favorable abject margin hedgerow , or create a mass drift as desire . Its modest size guarantees versatility in the garden .
get hold ‘ Kaleidoscope ’ now in # 5 containersfrom Nature Hills Nursery .
2. Azalea
Semi - evergreen Bollywood ® ‘ Farrow ’ azalea has disconsolate green foliage with maverick pick or silver gray border . It ’s suited to Zones 5 to 9 .
AzaleaBollywood ® ‘ Farrow ’
A low - visibility 18 to 24 inch high and 24 to 30 in broad , this upbeat sweetie is perfect forcontainers , bed , and border .
It command a full sun to part shade fix , and benefits from wintertime shelter in the coldest regions , where it is likely to miss its leaf .
Be certain to choose a location that will be discover by all , specially in springtime , when its Battle of Magenta bloom abound into bloom .
FindAzaleaBollywood ® ‘ Farrow ’ in quart containersavailable from Nature Hills Nursery .
find out more about how to arise azaleas here .
3. Boxwood
Evergreen variegated boxwood , Buxus sempervirens‘Variegata , ’ is a new interpretation of the old classic , with pick margin on dark green leaf .
It grows best in Zones 5 to 9 , demand full sun to part shade , has above modal heat and stale tolerance , and is cervid immune .
variegate Boxwood
Mature altitude are between five and eight feet , and widths roll from five to six feet , providing ample material for sculpting into your wildest potted topiary dreams .
In the garden , try your hand at creating orthogonal hedges or round ornamental specimens .
Find variegated boxwood cone - shaped topiary nowfrom Nature Hills Nurseryin # 5 container .
Learn more about growing Turkish boxwood shrubs here .
4. Cape Jasmine
Cape jasmine , Gardenia jasminoides‘Variegata , ’ has sheeny evergreen leaves randomly splotch with lime and dark green .
Its luscious white flush bloom from spring into summer , scenting the garden with sweetness in zone 8 to 11 .
A thickset , rounded frame , and a mature tiptop and width of three to four groundwork make it ideal for cultivation as a standalone specimen . Grow it in a pot or plant in the garden as desired .
5. Chinese Fringe Flower
Loropetalum chinense‘Jazz Hands ’ is a Chinese fringe bloom with pink and ashen splotch foliage that senesce to deep purpleness .
It is a semi - evergreen for Zones 7 to 9 that unload its leaves in the cold climate .
‘ Jazz Hands ’ Fringe Flower
A full sun to part tad fix is required . Mature height and breadth range from four to six feet .
Springtime is company time , when bright pinkish flowers resembling petite ribbons of crape paper prime .
Liven up drab areas of the garden with this exceptional and imposing form by using it alone or as a contrasting element with upstanding green shrubbery .
Find ‘ malarkey Hands ’ fringe flowers in two - congius containersavailable from Home Depot .
If you want to add Chinese outskirt flower to your garden , ensure out ourgrowing templet for full cultivation instructions .
6. Cotoneaster
DeciduousCotoneaster horizontalis‘Variegatus ’ has small , glossy , rounded , blue green leaves with maverick whitened border .
They shadow dramatically to Red River and pink in the fall , when they are grace with bright blood-red berry .
It requires a full sunshine to part shade position and does well in Zones 5 to 7 .
The branching shape is unique , in that lateral halt alternate and patronising , bending to organize more of a obtuse , mounded ground binding than an good shrub .
In the spring , the foliation is dotted with pink peak .
Mature meridian are up to three feet tall and wide . table salt and pollution are well stomach , making this a sensitive option for wayside placements that offers a cadence of privacy without obstructing the view .
Read more about caring for cotoneaster here .
7. Dogwood
Cornus alba‘Crmizam ’ also do it as Creme de Mint ™ dogwood , is acultivar of Siberian cornel . It has light unripe deciduous leaves with cream border , and fly high in zone 3 to 8 .
The name refers to its unique yellowish green stem .
Creme de Mint ™ Dogwood
In full sun to part tad , it grows to a stocky four to five foot magniloquent and wide , with an unsloped , rounded growth habit .
It stick out table salt and contamination , and is a striking decorative specimen when engraft in mixed grouping .
Seasonal accents include white blossoms in spring , and blueish - white berries in fall .
Find Creme de Mint ™ dogwoodfrom Nature Hills Nurseryin # 3 container .
8. Euonymus
EvergreenEuonymus fortunei‘Moonshadow ’ genus Euonymus has reddish stems and contrast glossy green leaf with irregular yellow margins .
The scandalmongering deepens throughout the grow time of year , and shades to pinkish chromaticity in fall .
Euonymus fortunei‘Moonshadow ’
Suited to zona 5 to 10 , ‘ Moonshadow ’ prefers full sun to part shade and is tolerant of a variety of soils .
It has petite dimension of just one to two feet tall and wide . Creeping branches forge an irregular , rounded pattern with tremendous textural appeal .
An excellent filler in bed , borders , container , and mixed groupings , it set off yellow- and red - toned perennial to best advantage .
rule ‘ Moonshadow ’ plant in # 1 containersavailable from Nature Hills Nursery .
Find tips on growing Euonymus shrubs here .
9. Gold-Edged Winter Daphne
Gold - edged winter daphne , Daphne odora‘Aureomarginata , ’ is an evergreen plant shrub with glossy , fatheaded immature parting edged subtly in yellow-bellied . It grows in Zones 7 to 9 , where it is appreciate for its winter boldness .
take a location with part shade for better outcome . Expect matured height of two to four substructure and widths from three to four animal foot .
And as it lacks even the slightest hint of menacing thorns , gold - edged winter daphne ’s gash stem are a welcome plus to holiday decor .
Mass industrial plant in drifts and mixed grouping , or apply as a standalone specimen .
Highly scented red - purple flowers blossom in tardy winter to early spring , and reddened berries herald the arrival of fall , providing bold pops of contrasting color .
Get more information on winter daphne care here .
10. Heavenly Bamboo
EvergreenNandina domestica‘Twilight ’ is a multicolored adaptation of a shrub commonly known as celestial or sacred bamboo – however , it is nottrue bamboo .
It has medium to dark greenish farewell splash with bright blanched , and grows in Zones 6 to 9 .
Nandina domestica‘Twilight ’
This summary bush has a clumping physical body with matured dimensions of three to four metrical unit tall and wide . Upright , slightly arching canes characterize its airy increase habit .
There may be nondescript white blossoms .
Cultivation is light in both the garden and containers where there is full sun to part shade .
It ’s relaxed form and varied pigmentation take on well against more formal immature bush in sundry groupings .
Find ‘ Twilight ’ plant nowfrom Nature Hills Nursery .
see tips on growing heavenly bamboo here .
11. Hebe
Hebe x andersonii‘Variegata ’ , aka Anderson ’s hebe , is an evergreen for Zones 7 to 10 . It has glossy , gray-headed - green leaves with irregular cream to white margin .
They are arranged in pair , creating a telescoping coming into court . With cool temperatures , the foliage can take on a purple hue .
Above the colorful upright foliation , purple prime constellate in concluding spikes that appear in summertime .
A full sun to part spook locating is postulate . Mature dimensions are a modest two to three feet tall and across-the-board . Show it off as a specimen in container and mixed seam , or mass plant .
12. Hydrangea
Hydrangea macrophylla‘Mariesii Variegata , ’ a deciduous variegatedlacecap hydrangeais a bigleaf mixed bag for Zones 5 to 9 that has medium light-green leaves highlighted by unpredictable cream - colored tolerance .
Showy flattened flower heads are pink in alkaline land and blue devil in acidulent , and have a lacy edge of white blossoms around their edges , for a romanticistic bungalow garden tactile property . They bloom in summer .
This bush prefers a partly shaded location , and does n’t do well with too much sun . It has a rounded , mound growing habit .
Mature heights and breadth hit four to five foot , a useful medium size of it for foundation planting , mass grouping , mid - story position , and tolerate - alone specimens .
instruct to grow hydrangeas in this guide .
13. Japanese Laurel
Japanese Laurel , Aucuba japonica‘Gold Dust , ’ is an evergreen shrub that sports glossy , chummy dark green leaves with yellowish stain . It is easily suit to Zones 7 to 10 .
Aucuba japonica‘Gold Dust ’
Unlike many plant that do good with some sun , this one requires a full shade locating , and can actually scorch if it is exposed to too much light .
The overall shape is circular and the foliation is dense . ripe dimensions are four to six foot tall and across-the-board . Resistance to deer and drought tolerance are above norm .
Best uses admit spectre gardens , foundation planting , understory ( beneath tree canopy ) hedge , and mixed shrub groupings .
Find ‘ Au Dust ’ now in 9.25 - inch potsavailable at Home Depot .
14. Japanese Pittosporum
Pittosporum tobira‘Variegatum ’ is an evergreen for Zones 8 to 11 . It has thick , glossy gray-haired - green foliage with cream margin .
In the spring it bears clusters of small , fragrant white blossoms . As the time of year wear down on , berry - alike light green fruits open to reveal orangish - red seeds within .
Pittosporum tobira‘Variegatum ’
This is a large , mounding shrub with mature peak of eight to 12 feet and widths of 12 to 18 feet .
Also known as mock orange , it ’s waterwise and can defy some drouth . Exposure to salinity and pollution are not a problem .
Best uses include mass plantings , hedging , and privacy screening . Prune as desired for tree - like potted ornamental .
Find Japanese pittosporum plant in 2.5 - gallon containersavailable from Home Depot .
15. Japanese Privet
VariegatedLigustrum japonicum‘Variegatum ’ is a bend on the typical privet , which we take for granted to be a dumb and dependable hedge .
However , with the addition of a cream foliage tolerance , suddenly there ’s deepness and grain that pray for a 2nd coup d’oeil .
This is an evergreen plant that thrive in full Dominicus in Zones 7 to 10 . It can reach mature heights of 10 feet and widths of six feet , and can be pruned to dimension of your choice .
Tiny white flowers bloom in spring .
A modern take on an quondam classic , the highlighted leafage pop the question a texturally rich backcloth to specimen plantings in a manicure landscape .
16. Leucothoe
Leucothoe fontanesiana‘Rainbow ’ is an evergreen with foliage splashed in cream , green , pink , and red , for an eclectic look in zone 5 to 9 .
Red leaf leafstalk tote up to the cacophony of color , and in spring , pendent clump of tiny white , bell - shaped peak grace the arch branches of this mounding bush .
‘ Rainbow ’ prefer shady locations with some sun , where it get to a ripe tiptop and width of three to five human foot .
good uses include aggregate planting in foundation and margin borders , as well as cosmetic specimen .
‘ Rainbow ’
you could find ‘ Rainbow ’ availablefrom Green Promise Farms via Amazon .
17. Lilac
Variegated lilac , Syringa vulgaris‘Aucubaefolia , ’ has medium immature folio splashed with yellow , for an unexpected twist on this plant ’s typical fleeceable foliation in Zones 3 to 7 .
In spring , with its fragrant lavender - blue heyday in full golf stroke , it ’s a heady attraction .
In full Lord’s Day location , it can reach a mature tiptop and width of 10 metrical foot , for a overlooking mien .
give up it to fill out , or dress it like a lowly tree . flora en masse if you have the distance , or as a standalone focal point .
you may learn to grow lilacs in this templet .
18. Lily of the Valley Shrub
While pieris is an evergreen landscape painting staple , particularly in formal mount , the motley variety , Pieris japonica‘Variegata , ’ is somewhat more playful and attention seeking with creamy white margins on its spear - shaped foliage .
At nursing home in full sun to part shade , it does best in Zones 6 to 9 , where its stocky meridian and width of three to five foot tender versatility .
Best uses include mass plantings , friendly hedges , and potted or garden focal specimens . works generally do n’t appeal to forage cervid .
memorize aboutPieris japonicacare here .
19. Oleander
motley rose bay , Nerium oleander‘Variegata , ’ is a tropic evergreen that has spear - shaped intermediate fleeceable leave with atypical cream - colour margins .
It grows in Zones 9 to 11 , and has fragrant clusters of bright pinkish flowers from summertime into fall .
Nerium oleander‘Variegata ’
This is an upright works with a rounded shape that grows to impressive acme of 10 to 18 feet and widths of 10 to 15 feet . With disingenuous pruning , you’re able to shape it like a tree if desired .
Group several for privateness showing , or plant individually . Tolerance of drouth , poor filth , and pollution are above average .
Find vary oleander plants in two - gallon containersavailable from Home Depot .
Read more about originate oleander shrub here .
20. Rose of Sharon
The deciduous white - tipped , blue - green foliage of rose of Sharon , Hibiscus syriacus‘Sugar Tip , ’ does indeed appear to have been dip ever so slightly into candymaker ’s bread .
And to round out the confection , it has flouncy pink twofold - petal bloom that bloom in summer .
‘ Sugar Tip’Rose of Sharon
well in locations with part sun in Zones 5 to 9 . ‘ Sugar Tip ’ has fledged heights of five to six feet , and a spread of four to six feet .
habituate as a mid - story masses planting , privacy hedge , or specimen in mixed cottage garden beds .
you may find ‘ Sugar Tip ’ rose of Sharon starter plantsavailable from Burpee .
translate more about grow rose of Sharon here .
21. Spirea
Spirea is a power station in the landscape , and this variegate cultivar , Spiraea japonicaDouble Play ® Painted Lady ® ‘ Minspi , ’ is no exclusion .
With vibrant leaf splosh by a euphoric artist in ointment , yellow , and intermediate green , it never fails to dazzle in Zones 4 to 8 .
Spiraea japonica‘Minspi ’
And as if that were n’t enough , in add-on to the foliar high spot , there are muzzy magenta spring flush for brilliant color and productive texture .
At home in full sun to part shade , it ’s two- to three - foot height and width fork up it a top selection forgardening in pocket-size spaces . It is also noteworthy for its deer and drought resistance .
Find Double Play ® Painted Lady ® ‘ Minspi ’ in one - gallon containersavailable from Home Depot .
Learnhow to grow spirea in your garden here .
22. Weigela
DeciduousWeigela florida‘My Monet ’ has bright fleeceable leaves with irregular cream leeway accented by pink .
It is specially attractive from saltation into summertime , when a richness of trumpet - shaped pink blossom appears .
Weigela florida‘My Monet ’
Perfect for full sun locations in zona 4 to 6 , it is a low - visibility plant with mature heights and widths of 12 to 18 inches .
Best utilisation include beds , borders , and containers , both grouped and alone .
This plant is noteworthy for its cervid resistor .
FindWeigela florida‘My Monet ’ plants in one - gallon containersavailable from Home Depot .
23. Yucca
Yucca filamentosa‘Color Guard ’ has perpendicular leaves with dark green margin and creamy lily-livered centers that are stemless and brand - like , for a bluff structural statement .
It is a tropical evergreen for zone 4 to 10 .
Yucca filamentosa‘Color Guard ’
The foliage is approximately three feet magniloquent with an adequate spread . In summer , a stalk rises five feet or more , and produces a panicle of bell - determine , cream - colour blossoms .
Resistant to moth-eaten , drouth , heat , and humidness , as well as cervid and rabbits , this is a sturdy water - wise bush that is appropriate for bothxeriscapingandcontainer gardening .
Find plants in one - dry quart containersavailable from Nature Hills Nursery .
study more about growing yucca plants here .
A Stylish Staple
As you could see , there are quite a few variegated bush .
As the mid - story workhorses of the garden , as well as standalone full size and compact specimen , their varied hue are certain to increase the optical appeal of your landscape .
When shop for bushes with an array of leaf colouration , you may receive testaments to their “ constancy . ” Take this with a metric grain of salinity , as the cultivated “ sportsman ” we discussed at the beginning of this article , may undergo “ relapse . ”
This is a process of regressing back to the trait of the original parent plant .
What does this mean for you ?
One day , you may find a stem with leaves that see nothing like the rest of the bush . They are most belike unanimous green . This a throwback to the parent plant that produced the original sport .
Solid unripened leaves have more chlorophyll than multicolored ones , so they are potential to grow quicker than the rest .
To prevent them from becoming prevalent , you ’ll demand to cut back off all non - variegated stem at their full stop of parentage .
My euonymus does this occasionally . With regular monitoring , I have been able-bodied to remove the square green foliage stems and retain the variegation of the foliage .
Now it ’s time to choose your favorites !
Be certain to note the Dominicus demand of each , as the right amount of light contributes to their most brilliant coloration .
Get outyour garden plannertoday and add variegated shrubs to your list . They ’re a fashionable version of a landscape raw material you ’re sure to love .
What motley bush grow in your garden ? Have you dealt with reverting ? Please tell us in the gossip section below , and feel free to share a picture !
And for more information aboutgrowing shrubs in your garden , tally out these guides next :
© require the Experts , LLC . ALL right RESERVED.See our TOSfor more details . intersection photos via Burpee , Green Promise Farms Store , Home Depot , Nature Hills Nursery , and Risalana . Uncredited photos : Shutterstock .
About
Nan Schiller
