Variegation does that in the low-light of winter, a little bit of light, shining brightly.
Yucca filamentosa 'Color Guard' is a great example of this trick. Arriving home at dusk one evening I was surprised to find them glowing.
The Yucca recurvifolia 'Margaritaville' has the same qualities, but with a bit of subtle class about it.
If I were able to grow big monster sized Agave americana 'Variegata' in the front garden I'm sure their impact would be magnificent. As it is I appreciate their brightness just outside the back door.
Fatshedera lizei 'Aurea Maculata' (or whatever the heck it's name is) has extremely subtle variegation.
But I adore it.
The Yucca 'Bright Star' is already getting it's characteristic winter-time discolored splotches on it's lower leaves. I wish this were a tougher plant in my garden, Nonetheless it glows.
The phormium that survived last winter! A NOID with great yellow variegation.
And finally Pleioblastus fortunei looking as lush as a summer's day. These visions of bright, creamy, variegation are my contribution to this month's Foliage Follow-up. An opportunity provided to us by Pam, and her blog Digging, to join others in appreciating the role spectacular foliage plays in our gardens.
All material © 2009-2014 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
I'm with you, Loree. Variegation is great for shade gardens, adding a little sunshine amid all the dark leaves that tend to love shade. And in sunny gardens yuccas and agaves with yellow stripes are fabulous, even in the noonday sun of Texas. They make gorgeous focal points.
ReplyDeleteI love it, but try not to get carried away with it. Too much makes me a little jittery, like caffeine.
DeleteLove all the variegation you've highlighted in this post. My Bright Star does get some of that discoloration, but it thrives so well that I can cut them off and it will still look pretty good. I wish my Color Guard would grow as vigorously. I just uploaded that Euphorbia you asked about to my Facebook profile and identified it. It's Euphorbia characias 'Red Wing.'
ReplyDeleteBy the time spring rolls around and I cut off all the ugly leaves on the 'Bright Star' I have about 3 left. Sad. Thanks for the euphorbia name, it's time I try that one again.
DeleteI do need to add some variegated yuccas this year I think, but for now the only variegation I can see is on the basement agaves. Surely winter is almost over...
ReplyDeleteYes, you do. And yes, I wish...
DeleteI can't wait for our Margaritaville to get big now after seeing yours! One of the best things about yellow variegated plants is that they catch the light so easily and seemingly brighten up their even in the low lights of winter.
ReplyDeleteDid yours come from Sean? I have one from him that's a little guy, but with even better variegation.
DeleteVariegated foliage is great during the colder months for adding bright spots. Poor bright star, it's still shining through the damp.
ReplyDeleteIt soldiers on...
DeleteOK, I've been wavering on the Fatshedera but will wobble no more. Is it a vine that needs support? I somehow had that impression. Now Plioblastus is going on my wish list. A plant nut's list never gets any shorter, does it?
ReplyDeleteLight support for the Fatshedera. One is leaning against a wall and scrambling around and the other is leaning on a stake. It doesn't need a true trellis but definitely needs something. I'll give you a bit of that Plioblastus, remind me. Mine came from Alan (it's not...) and I need to continue the generosity. I think Anna wanted some too. Don't let me forget!
DeleteRicki - I ended taking my Fatshedera out (gasp!) because it was such a pain to keep upright. It was just flopping everywhere... And yes, please Loree - I would love a start of that Pleioblastus. It is beautiful!
DeleteI love that Yucca 'Margaritaville' but, if I get one, I'll have to provide it with a code name - Yucca has a bad name in our household at the moment.
ReplyDeleteI understand. Maybe you could call it an agave? Some people can't tell the difference.
DeleteThe variegated phormium is beautiful, as are all of your yuccas. I also like the subtlety of the fatshedera's variegation.
ReplyDeleteI should do another round up post on all my yuccas, there are so many cool ones!
DeleteBeautiful variegated foliage! My Disporum cantoniense 'Moonlight' got a little toasted in the freeze so the magic garden trophy gets passed back to you! Did you find your Yucca recurvifolia 'Margaritaville' locally or did it come from Hoover Boo? So lovely!
ReplyDeleteI bought the yucca at Portland nursery years ago, sadly I didn't manage to get the one from Hoov rooted before it rotted.
DeleteThat Margaritaville is fabulous! And now I feel really stupid for never getting that Fling freebie (The Disporum 'Moonlight' in the ground. It is still languishing in its little pot. Only time will tell if it still has any life in it... :(
ReplyDeleteDon't give up on the Disporum too early, they were some of the last plants to show up in my garden last spring. I'd already given up on them and then POW, there they were.
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