Top 12+ variegated shrubs that bring texture and color to the garden

Create drama throughout the landscape with bold leaf patterns and dynamic color.

Mojo® Pittosporum, Twist of Pink™ Variegated Oleander, Romeo® Cleyera, 'Spider's Web' Fatsia, Hydrangea, Winter Daphne, Osmanthus

Variegated foliage adds a touch of elegance to any garden, providing unique color and distinctive contrast that lasts all season. Shrubs with variegated foliage serve as vivid accents or focal points in containers and planting beds alike. Variegation takes on many forms, from speckled or spotted foliage to dramatic striping. While each type can be quite striking, the different forms of variegation do not always combine well.  

When planting variegated shrubs, remember that a little goes a long way. Use variegated foliage sparingly, paying close attention to compatible patterns and colors. Set these apart by surrounding variegated plants with solid-colored companions. A backdrop of dark evergreens provides the perfect setting for light-colored variegated foliage to perform. Such pairings create depth and movement in a planting. The same effect can be achieved with solid-colored foliage by pairing complementary colors such as gold variegation against a burgundy backdrop. The variegated shrubs featured here provide endless opportunities for designing dynamic plantings.

Pay attention to sun exposure when growing variegated plants . Check label recommendations as some variegated varieties tolerate less sun than their solid counterparts. Variegated plants produce less chlorophyll and may grow more slowly than solid green varieties. Watch for and prune out any reversions, which are individual shoots lacking variegation. These solid-green shoots grow fast and can outgrow variegated stems, slowly reverting the plant back to all green.

01 of 12

Mojo® Pittosporum

Mojo® Pittosporum, Twist of Pink™ Variegated Oleander, Romeo® Cleyera, 'Spider's Web' Fatsia, Hydrangea, Winter Daphne, Osmanthus
  • Botanical Name: Pittosporum tobira 'CNI Three'
  • Sun Exposure: Part sun to shade
  • Soil Type: Medium, well-draining
  • Soil pH: Acidic to alkaline (5.0-8.0)
  • USDA Plant Hardiness Zone: 7 to 10

With fragrant blooms and stunning golden variegation, this handsome evergreen makes a lovely accent in foundation and patio plantings. Mojo® Pittosporum has a compact habit, growing just three feet tall and wide, and performs well in containers. It also looks fabulous planted in mass. This tough shrub tolerates heat, drought, and salt spray, making an ideal addition to coastal gardens.

02 of 12

Twist of Pink™ Variegated Oleander

Mojo® Pittosporum, Twist of Pink™ Variegated Oleander, Romeo® Cleyera, 'Spider's Web' Fatsia, Hydrangea, Winter Daphne, Osmanthus
  • Botanical Name: Nerium oleander 'Planst'
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun
  • Soil Type: Rich, moist, well-draining
  • Soil pH: Acidic to alkaline (5.0-8.0)
  • USDA Plant Hardiness Zone: 8-10 

Creamy white variegation adds even more charm to this elegant Mediterranean beauty. With willow-like foliage and deep pink blooms all summer long, Twist of Pink™ Variegated Oleander makes a graceful focal point in gardens and containers. Plants are heat and drought tolerant once established, and grow well in coastal gardens, tolerating salt spray, wind, and even deer. In cold climates, oleander makes a fabulous patio container planting that can be moved indoors for the winter.

03 of 12

Romeo® Cleyera

Mojo® Pittosporum, Twist of Pink™ Variegated Oleander, Romeo® Cleyera, 'Spider's Web' Fatsia, Hydrangea, Winter Daphne, Osmanthus
  • Botanical Name: Cleyera japonica 'Variegata'
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
  • Soil Type: Rich, medium, well-draining
  • Soil pH: Acidic (5.0-6.5)
  • USDA Plant Hardiness Zone: 7 to 10 

This stunning Japanese cleyera features tri-colored variegation that changes with the seasons. Leaves are edged in bright gold during the summer months, taking on rosy shades as cold weather sets in. Cleyera offers low-maintenance structure and color for borders, hedges, and containers. Mass Romeo® Cleyera in woodland gardens or foundations, or plant as a colorful accent. Plants are highly pest resistant. Provide afternoon shade in hot climates and protection from winter winds.

04 of 12

'Spider's Web' Fatsia

Mojo® Pittosporum, Twist of Pink™ Variegated Oleander, Romeo® Cleyera, 'Spider's Web' Fatsia, Hydrangea, Winter Daphne, Osmanthus
  • Botanical Name: Fatsia japonica 'Spider's Web'
  • Sun Exposure: Part sun to shade
  • Soil Type: Rich, moist, well-draining
  • Soil pH: Acidic to alkaline (5.0-8.0)
  • USDA Hardiness Zone: 8 to 10 

The deeply cut palmate leaves of this unique shrub are splashed in white, with variegation most heavy along the margins. This tropical looking broadleaf evergreen has a dense, clumping habit that requires little upkeep. 'Spider's Web' Fatsia blooms in fall, producing clusters of delicate white flowers followed by black fruit. Plants are heat tolerant and add lush texture to woodland gardens, tropical plantings, water gardens, and containers.

05 of 12

Pieris

Mojo® Pittosporum, Twist of Pink™ Variegated Oleander, Romeo® Cleyera, 'Spider's Web' Fatsia, Hydrangea, Winter Daphne, Osmanthus
  • Botanical Name: Pieris japonica
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
  • Soil Type: Rich, medium, well-draining
  • Soil pH: Acid (
  • USDA Hardiness Zone: 5 to 8 

Several varieties of Japanese pieris feature foliage edged in creamy white to gold hues, adding sophistication to an already elegant shrub. This broadleaf evergreen is adored for its long, drooping flower clusters. Blooms are typically white, though pink to dark-rose flowered varieties are also available. Plants tolerate deer browsing and heavy shade.

06 of 12

Hydrangea

Mojo® Pittosporum, Twist of Pink™ Variegated Oleander, Romeo® Cleyera, 'Spider's Web' Fatsia, Hydrangea, Winter Daphne, Osmanthus
  • Botanical Name: Hydrangea spp. and cltvs.
  • Sun Exposure: Sun to shade
  • Soil Type: Rich, medium tomoist, well-draining
  • Soil pH: Acid to alkaline (5.5 to 8.0)
  • USDA Plant Hardiness Zone: 3 to 9 

While hydrangeas are grown primarily for their buoyant blooms, these plants also feature handsome foliage. Several varieties add a layer of interest with various forms of variegation, from classic white-edged bigleaf hydrangeas (H. macrophylla) to the speckled foliage of mountain and panicle hydrangeas (H. serrata and H. paniculata, respectively).

07 of 12

Aucuba

Mojo® Pittosporum, Twist of Pink™ Variegated Oleander, Romeo® Cleyera, 'Spider's Web' Fatsia, Hydrangea, Winter Daphne, Osmanthus
  • Botanical Name: Aucuba japonica
  • Sun Exposure: Partial to full shade
  • Soil Type: Rich, medium to moist, well-draining
  • Soil pH: Acid to alkaline (5.5 to 8.0)
  • USDA Hardiness Zone: 6 to 10 

Though solid green specimens are available, this shade-loving evergreen is best known for the gold-speckled varieties that give the plant one of its common names, Gold Dust. Other variegated forms add solid yellow centers to the speckled foliage for a vibrant accent in shady gardens. Aucuba is quite adaptable, but plants benefit from protection against cold winter winds and direct sun.

08 of 12

Boxwood

Mojo® Pittosporum, Twist of Pink™ Variegated Oleander, Romeo® Cleyera, 'Spider's Web' Fatsia, Hydrangea, Winter Daphne, Osmanthus
  • Botanical Name: Buxus spp. and cltvs.
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
  • Soil Type: Medium, well-draining
  • Soil pH: Acidic to neutral (5.5-7.2) 
  • USDA Hardiness Zone: 5 to 9 

Boxwood plants are a garden staple thanks to their ease of maintenance, year-round color, and broad tolerance to a variety of growing conditions. Among the oldest cultivated plants, hundreds of varieties are available in all shapes and sizes. Variegated forms tend to feature gold or cream-colored leaf margins and make wonderful container plants or accents in planting beds.

09 of 12

Abelia

Mojo® Pittosporum, Twist of Pink™ Variegated Oleander, Romeo® Cleyera, 'Spider's Web' Fatsia, Hydrangea, Winter Daphne, Osmanthus
  • Botanical Name: Abelia x grandiflora
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
  • Soil Type: Average, medium, well-draining
  • Soil pH: Acidic to alkaline (5.0-8.0)
  • USDA Plant Hardiness Zone: 5 to 10 

Few shrubs offer as much variety in foliage color as abelia. The foliage of this rounded, semi-evergreen shrub ranges from sophisticated white and golden margins to vibrant pink, orange, red, and multi-hued foliage, providing an eye-catching accent in any garden. Pollinators flock to the fragrant blooms that cover abelia from spring through fall. Plants adapt to a variety of growing conditions for low-maintenance beauty that bridges sun to shade.

10 of 12

Weigela

Mojo® Pittosporum, Twist of Pink™ Variegated Oleander, Romeo® Cleyera, 'Spider's Web' Fatsia, Hydrangea, Winter Daphne, Osmanthus
  • Botanical Name: Weigela florida
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
  • Soil Type: Average, medium, well-draining
  • Soil pH: Acid to alkaline (5.5 to 8.0)
  • USDA Hardiness Zone: 4 to 8 

This old-fashioned shrub has been given an update with numerous variegated varieties now available. Variegation tends toward yellow and white, with several cultivars taking on rosy autumn hues. Weigelas produce a flush of showy, tubular blooms in spring that attract hummingbirds and butterflies to the garden. Sporadic blooms follow throughout the summer months. Plants bloom on old wood, so any desired pruning is best done just after the spring flowers fade.

11 of 12

Winter Daphne

Mojo® Pittosporum, Twist of Pink™ Variegated Oleander, Romeo® Cleyera, 'Spider's Web' Fatsia, Hydrangea, Winter Daphne, Osmanthus
  • Botanical Name: Daphne odora
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
  • Soil Type: Rich, moist, well-draining
  • Soil pH: Neutral (6.6-7.5) 

  • USDA Hardiness Zone: 7 to 9

    Though named for its fragrant blooms which open late winter to early spring, winter daphne also produces handsome evergreen foliage. Variegated varieties feature a creamy white to gold band along the leaf margin that ranges in width from a fine line to a bold stripe. Daphne can be a bit finicky. Provide excellent drainage, consistent moisture, and protection from cold winter winds.

12 of 12

Osmanthus

Mojo® Pittosporum, Twist of Pink™ Variegated Oleander, Romeo® Cleyera, 'Spider's Web' Fatsia, Hydrangea, Winter Daphne, Osmanthus
  • Botanical Name: Osmanthus heterophyllus
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
  • Soil Type: Rich, medium to moist, well-draining
  • Soil pH: Acid to alkaline (5.5 to 8.0)
  • USDA Hardiness Zone: 7 to 9 

Commonly called false holly for its glossy, spiny foliage, osmanthus is a pest-free evergreen shrub with fragrant fall blooms. Plants display high heat and drought tolerance and are unbothered by deer or urban conditions, making a good holly alternative. Several variegated forms are available, the most common of which is the speckle-leaved 'Goshiki' which is dappled with creamy white, gray-green, and yellow spots.

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