It may be cold and gloomy outside but one of the ways I cheer myself up is by browsing at plant photos I've taken last summer, admiring plants looking their best during the growing season. And I'd like to share one of my favourite group of plants, the Variegates!
It's one of those 'love it or hate it' sort of topics in the plant world, and if I'm going to categorize myself to either of the two only, I'd put myself under the 'love it' side.
As a mainly foliage gardener (who only regards flowers as a bonus), variegated plants give me an opportunity to introduce more variety on my plant collections, as well as have some contrast in the garden.
I do recognise that not all variegated plants are attractive and garden worthy, and certainly I don't find them all attractive myself. Some are better than others of course.
Here's just a few of my favourite variegated exotics. No doubt I'll feature some more in the future. Hope you'll find some of them attractive too!
 |
| Magnolia denudata 'McCracken's Variegate' |
 |
| Daphne odora 'Rebecca' |
 |
| Yucca recurvifolia 'Bright Star' |
 |
| Aeonium 'Sunburst' |
 |
| Farfugium japonicum 'Kaimon Dake' |
 |
| Fallopia japonica 'Milkboy' |
 |
| Fatsia japonica 'Spider's Web' |
 |
| Echeveria 'Compton's Carousel' |
 |
| Amicia zygomeris 'Variegata' |
 |
Ginkgo biloba 'Variegata'
 |
Top: Ruta graveolens 'Variegata'
Bottom: Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola' |
|
Posted in:
This gardening blog follows our journey as we create our Tropical and Exotic themed garden. We hope you'll enjoy the journey as much as we do. We started our Exotic Garden in 2005 and this site will show its development, as well as our travels, both abroad and within the UK to gardens, nurseries and friends.
The magnolia and gingko completely surprised me -- I didn't know there were any variegated cultivars. I guess I should realize we can breed just about anything these days. Beautiful photos. :)
ReplyDeleteWow, excellent photos! I've never seen a variegated gingko before! Gotta try to find one locally. Thank you for this special post.
ReplyDeleteI am not a lover of variegated plants but probably because people use them badly. When people plant many different ones together it just ends up looking too busy. Clearly as part of your jungle and placed carefully they would create interest.
ReplyDeleteLovely
ReplyDeleteA focus on variegation is not something I would have thought of. It is an interesting and imaginative idea!
ReplyDeleteIndeed! An easy way of adding contrast to the garden. I will do more features on variegated plants in the next few weeks :)
ReplyDeleteHello, I am looking for 1 plant of the Echeveria Compton Carousel. Do you know where we can buy this? What is the price?one of our clients is a collector he has seen this......
ReplyDeleteHi Wander, this came from Cactus Land, and there are some on ebay at the moment.
Delete