Variegated Plants

[txbeyer]

Let's get this topic going. I am a big advocate and fan of variegated plants because blooming periods on so many plants are for limited times whereas variegated foliage adds and continues color to the garden most of the year. Only problem is that variegated plants tend to bloom less due to less chlorophyll production which reduces plant vigor. The advantage is that variegated forms of plants grow at a much slower rate reducing maintenance.

As a plant collector, I love searching for and finding unusual forms of plants including different variegated forms of a particular plant. I even discovered and named one - Hamelia patens "Beyer's Variegated".

What are some of your favorite variegated plant finds.

[PlantSwap]

I really like the look of the variagated Ginger that you can find most everywhere with the yellow and green leaves. It's flowers are not much took at and don't seem very fragrant to me (compared to some of the non-variagated varieties I have), but the foliage is much more interesting.

[txbeyer]

Bernard, I believe you are talking about Alpinia zerumbet 'variegata', which is a shell ginger. I find the blooms intrigueing but you don't see them unless the plant goes 18 months without cold damage. This variegated plant produces a brilliant yellow streaked variegation that is just as intense in deep shade as in full sun which makes it a real winner in my opinion. Many variegated plants are light dependent to produce good contrasting variegation. This is one of few gingers I can successfully grow in Austin that will overwinter in the ground (we have colder winters than Houston).

[PlantSwap]

Yep. That's the one. Mine grows (and blooms) like crazy as long as it gets a lot of water. When water is scarce, it doesn't bloom at all or grow very much. The color contrast is quite striking when it gets big.

I once let some Arrowhead vine (Nephthytis):

loose in my back garden. The parts of the vine that reached sunny spots changed from an interesting variegated mix of green and white to almost solid white. I had to pull it out as it started overtaking everything.

[txbeyer]

Let's have some fun with this topic and post pictures/tell about some of the unusual variegated forms of plants we have in our collection or have seen. I will begin with a picture of a variegated Crown of Thorns I have that has been named "white lightning". This is a very, very slow growing plant as most variegated plants do have a much slower growth rate. I rooted a cutting of it once but eventually lost it - the plant that is pictured. My mother plant is grafted.

[nancybrag]

i too like variegated plants . they just really catch my eye , i dont have pictures of mine right now , have variegated schefflera , iris , sedum in white/green , yellow/ green , peperomia , cactus , and the list goes on . very nice looking plants you all posted . thanks for sharing . Nancy

[Gram18]

Txbeyer I have an arrowhead that has some really unique markings on it. I will have to take some pictures of it and post it so you can see. This is it when I first got it. Oh by the way, they`re just house plants up here where I am, I could never let it outside after Sept..............Yoor discovered varigated plant is gorgeous!! Ok I tried to post it here and it exceeded the limit of size allowed, so it will be in the photo gallery!

[txbeyer]

http://www.plantswap.net/photoplog/index.php?n=95

I posted this picture to see if anyone can identify the species/variety, etc.
Gram, you grow Sedums, any idea?

[Gram18]

Bob I went to your picture you posted and there I commented on what I thought and also posted a picture of one I bought last year.

[zuzu's petals]

http://www.plantswap.net/photoplog/index.php?n=95

I posted this picture to see if anyone can identify the species/variety, etc.
Gram, you grow Sedums, any idea?

I know I'm very late posting to this topic but . . .
if you haven't already ID'd this little beastie, the tinge of pink at the edges of the foliage,
and the rosy stems make me think it could be Sedum spurium 'Tricolor'.

[kancheta]

Hey Txbeyer. I am still waiting for a cold spell so I can divide that ginger you wanted. Its still blooming! I just got a varigated rubber tree and a varigated Jamie Brugmansia is on order. I can't wait to see them. I had a dapple shade spot in my yard that will be perfect for the verigated things.

[fiftyplusandkids]

The kids would love to have verigated Horseradish. Does anyone have any they would to like to share? Thank you

[SouthernGrl]

I have a varigated vinca minor plant outside. Inside I have quite a few varigated African Violets. I also have a varigated ficus tree on my front porch.