{"id":4023,"date":"2025-08-04T01:26:18","date_gmt":"2025-08-04T08:26:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wrwofficial.com\/index.php\/2025\/08\/04\/23-of-the-best-variegated-shrubs-for-your-landscape\/"},"modified":"2025-08-04T01:26:22","modified_gmt":"2025-08-04T08:26:22","slug":"23-of-the-best-variegated-shrubs-for-your-landscape","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wrwofficial.com\/index.php\/2025\/08\/04\/23-of-the-best-variegated-shrubs-for-your-landscape\/","title":{"rendered":"23 of the Best Variegated Shrubs for Your Landscape"},"content":{"rendered":"

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16. Leucothoe<\/h2>\n

Leucothoe fontanesiana<\/em> \u2018Girard\u2019s Rainbow\u2019 is an evergreen with foliage splashed in cream, green, pink, and red, for an eclectic look in Zones 5 to 9.<\/p>\n

Red leaf petioles add to the cacophony of color, and in spring, pendant clusters of tiny white, bell-shaped blossoms grace the arching branches of this mounding bush.<\/p>\n

\u2018Girard\u2019s Rainbow\u2019 prefers shady locations with some sun, where it grows to a mature height and width of three to five feet.<\/p>\n

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\u2018Girard\u2019s Rainbow\u2019<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Best uses include mass plantings in foundation and perimeter borders, as well as ornamental specimens.<\/p>\n

You can find \u2018Girard\u2019s Rainbow\u2019 available at Nature Hills Nursery<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

17. Lilac<\/h2>\n

Variegated lilac, Syringa vulgaris<\/em> \u2018Aucubaefolia,\u2019 has medium green leaves splashed with yellow, for an unexpected twist on this plant\u2019s typical green foliage in Zones 3 to 7.<\/p>\n

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Syringa vulgaris<\/em> \u2018Aucubaefolia.\u2019 Photo by \u0425\u043e\u043c\u0435\u043b\u043a\u0430, Wikimedia Commons, via CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

In spring, with its fragrant lavender-blue blossoms in full swing, it\u2019s a heady attraction.<\/p>\n

In full sun locations, it can reach a mature height and width of 10 feet, for a commanding presence.<\/p>\n

Allow it to fill out, or prune it like a small tree. Plant en masse if you have the space, or as a standalone focal point.<\/p>\n

You can learn more about how to grow lilacs in this guide<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

18. Lily of the Valley Shrub<\/h2>\n

While pieris\u00a0is an evergreen landscape staple, particularly in formal settings, the variegated variety, Pieris japonica<\/em> \u2018Variegata,\u2019 is somewhat more playful and attention seeking with creamy white margins on its spear-shaped foliage.<\/p>\n

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At home in full sun to part shade, it does best in Zones 6 to 9, where its compact height and width of three to five feet offer versatility.<\/p>\n

Best uses include mass plantings, friendly hedges, and potted or garden focal specimens. Plants generally don\u2019t appeal to foraging deer.<\/p>\n

Learn about Pieris japonica<\/em> care here<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

19. Oleander<\/h2>\n

Variegated oleander, Nerium oleander<\/em> \u2018Variegata,\u2019 is a tropical evergreen that has spear-shaped medium green leaves with irregular cream-colored margins.<\/p>\n

It grows in Zones 9 to 11, and has fragrant clusters of bright pink flowers from summer into fall.<\/p>\n

This is an upright plant with a rounded shape that grows to impressive heights of 10 to 18 feet and widths of 10 to 15 feet. With artful pruning, you can shape it like a tree if desired.<\/p>\n

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Nerium oleander<\/em> \u2018Variegata\u2019<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Group several for privacy screening, or plant individually. Tolerance of drought, poor soil, and pollution are above average.<\/p>\n

Find variegated oleander plants available from Southern Living via Walmart<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Read more about growing oleander shrubs here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

20. Rose of Sharon<\/h2>\n

The deciduous white-tipped, blue-green foliage of rose of Sharon, Hibiscus syriacus<\/em> \u2018Sugar Tip,\u2019 does indeed appear to have been dipped ever so slightly into confectioner\u2019s sugar.<\/p>\n

And to round out the confection, it has flouncy pink double-petal flowers that bloom in summer.<\/p>\n

Best in locations with part sun in Zones 5 to 9. \u2018Sugar Tip\u2019 has mature heights of five to six feet, and a spread of four to six feet.<\/p>\n

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\u2018<\/em>Sugar Tip\u2019<\/em> Rose of Sharon<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Use as a mid-story mass planting, privacy hedge, or specimen in mixed cottage garden beds.<\/p>\n

You can find \u2018Sugar Tip\u2019 rose of Sharon starter plants available from Burpee<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Read more about growing rose of Sharon here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

21. Spirea<\/h2>\n

Spirea is a powerhouse in the landscape, and this variegated cultivar, Spiraea japonica<\/em> Double Play \u00ae Painted Lady\u00ae \u2018Minspi,\u2019 is no exception.<\/p>\n

With vibrant foliage splashed by a euphoric artist in cream, yellow, and medium green, it never fails to dazzle in Zones 4 to 8.<\/p>\n

And as if that weren\u2019t enough, in addition to the foliar highlights, there are fuzzy magenta spring blooms for bright color and rich texture.<\/p>\n

At home in full sun to part shade, it\u2019s two- to three-foot height and width render it a top selection for gardening in small spaces<\/strong><\/a>. It is also noteworthy for its deer and drought resistance.<\/p>\n

Learn how to grow spirea in your garden here<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

22. Weigela<\/h2>\n

Deciduous Weigela florida<\/em> \u2018My Monet\u2019 has bright green leaves with irregular cream margins accented by pink.<\/p>\n

It is especially attractive from spring into summer, when a profusion of trumpet-shaped pink flowers appears.<\/p>\n

Perfect for full sun locations in Zones 4 to 6, it is a low-profile plant with mature heights and widths of 12 to 18 inches.<\/p>\n

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Weigela florida<\/em> \u2018My Monet\u2019<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Best uses include beds, borders, and containers, both grouped and alone. This plant is noteworthy for its deer resistance.<\/p>\n

Find \u2018My Monet\u2019 plants in #2 containers available from Nature Hills<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

23. Yucca<\/h2>\n

Yucca filamentosa<\/em> \u2018Color Guard\u2019 has vertical leaves with dark green margins and creamy yellow centers that are stemless and sword-like, for a bold structural statement.<\/p>\n

It is a tropical evergreen for Zones 4 to 10.<\/p>\n

The foliage is approximately three feet tall with an equal spread. In summer, a stalk rises five feet or more, and produces a panicle of bell-shaped, cream-colored blossoms.<\/p>\n

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Yucca filamentosa<\/em> \u2018Color Guard\u2019<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Resistant to cold, drought, heat, and humidity, as well as deer and rabbits, this is a hardy water-wise shrub that is appropriate for both xeriscaping<\/strong><\/a> and container gardening<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Find plants in one-quart and #2 containers available from Nature Hills Nursery<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Learn more about growing yucca plants here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

A Stylish Staple<\/h2>\n

As you can see, there are quite a few variegated shrubs.<\/p>\n

As the mid-story workhorses of the garden, as well as standalone full size and compact specimens, their varied hues are sure to increase the visual appeal of your landscape.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n