Variegated plants/coloured leaved plants...love em or hate em?

I love them! Euonymous, daphne, iris, hebe, Hemerocallis, grasses, hostas, and all manner of perennials and shrubs. Some variegated plants do look chlorotic but many are fantastic. Caryopteris summer sorbet, for instance, has butter yellow serrated foliage that complements its blue flowers superbly. Much better than the plain green version. Santolina Lemon fizz with bright yellow foliage just shines in summer and winter. So, love em or hate em folks?

 

Personally I'm a bit of both as you say some benefit from being variegated some do not imo. The only variegated shrub which I will not give the time of day to are the variegated Rhododendrons which to me look hideous. Had 3 in my garden when we moved here, all given away, along with around 150 hybrid tea Roses, not a favourite either and who has the time to prune that lot!!!?

 

Love some, like some; not interested in others

 

I agree with Mum , they have the uses I use to lighten up a dark corner, Hosta being my favourite .:santaclap:

 

I'm on the fence. I don't much care for them. I see them used effectively in gardens, but I always wonder whether something else, non variegated, could have been used instead.

But I recognise that most people like that things that I am doubting, so I am planting more in my garden; maybe they'll grow, and on me, and then I'll grow to like them more too.

 

Love this...

 

I like some of the variegated plants but wouldn't get one just because it was a new variety. If I think they are nice looking and interesting I will have it.

 

Nice thread. I'm very firmly in the dislike camp on this one. Two of my favourite plants in my garden have got variegated foliage though, but I would replace them in an instant if I could lay my hands on the plain forms. And one of my favourite houseplants is afflicted too, although I don't dislike the foliage of this one - Impatiens morsei......................

Strangely, I don't dislike that! Although it looks like a variegated Arum (and I love aroids).

This is my idea of plant hell..................


I do believe that it is each to their own though..............

 

I'm a bit of both too some I like like hostas, others not so much, this daylily's my favourite in the spring when its just emerging,same with the lysimachia love it in spring with its pink and cream tinges

 

Mostly I can take them or leave them, although I do think one or two well placed variegated evergreens ( is that an oxymoron?) can help to brighten up a dull border in winter.
My personal favourite at this time of year is Euonymous 'Emerald 'n' Gold' which, although not to everybody's liking, I find is a robust, unfussy little plant which takes everything the winter can throw at it and still manages to look bright and colourful on even the darkest of days.

 

Ive just bought a cordyline pink passion which i liked soon as i set my eyes on it so i think with me its just what i like when i see it

I also like these..not sure if they are new guinea or new zealand impatiens ..

 

My favorite

canna stuttgart



tradescantia maiden blush



variegated alpinia


and variegated alocasia

 

Strutt & Alocasia xx

 

May I introduce into the ugly catergory

Berberis thunbergii 'Rose Glow'


Source: http://www.harleynursery.co.uk/TreesShrubs/Berberis.aspx

I nicknamed this one the pigeon poo plant as from a distance it looks like a load of pigeons have pooped on it

 

Jools , that variegated alocasia , next to you black ....