THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 17, 1994 TAG: 9407150072
SECTION: HOME PAGE: G2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ROBERT STIFFLER, GARDENING COLUMNIST
LENGTH: Short : 37 lines
MANY GARDENERS want to grow more sophisticated plants. This often means rare and unusual plants.
An easy way to get started is to grow variegated versions of common plants. They're abundant in garden centers, but there are some things you should know before you buy.
A variegated-foliage plant invariably is more difficult to grow. It often is more tender. Also, unless you can put the plant in lots of sunlight, it will lose its variegation.
Some variegated plants to consider are these:
Variegated English holly: This is a tough plant and will remain variegated in sun or shade. One disadvantage is that the bush is often not full and thick, as most homeowners want. I took the chance, however, and with a little pruning mine stays thick and attractive. It's also slow-growing, which is an advantage.
Variegated dogwoods: The Cherokee series includes a white blooming species with white and green foliage. Another has yellow and green foliage with red flowers. These are available in garden centers, but remember that they need to be planted in sunshine.
Other variegated plants include hydrangeas, a new dwarf abelia, azaleas, lamium, iris, ivy, ligularia and even yucca. The variegated hydrangea is slow to start and less tough than its all-green cousins. Once it gets going, it's a good plant.
The variegated plants named above are just a beginning. Every spring you can find new ones, bred by plant specialists. by CNB