Two guests on the Gardens Illustrated podcast have said that they loathe variegated plants. Where do you stand? <\/p>

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Variegated plant fans<\/h3>\n
However some gardeners, however, are in favour of variegated plants. Matthew Pottage, curator at RHS Garden Wisley, told us: \u201cI\u2019m a massive fan of variegated plants! I would challenge the haters to confess if they have any variegated hostas<\/a> in their gardens, because I reckon they would. Variegated hostas seem to fly under the radar of the \u2018variegation snobs\u2019, as I like to call them. I think variegated plants do have a place in the garden \u2013 they can liven up a shady corner in a way that green plants cannot. For example Fatsia japonica<\/em> \u2018Spiders Web\u2019 is superb in a glum corner, as is Hosta<\/em> \u2018White Feather\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n
What are variegated plants anyway?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n
\u00c5sa Gregers-Warg<\/a>, head gardener at the Beth Chatto Gardens also appreciates variegated plants. \u201cI used to think I didn\u2019t like variegated plants, but over the years I\u2019ve come to realise how useful they can be, if one selects carefully. They can easily be too much of a good thing, so I tend to use them sparingly; never to create drama, only to make a border more visually interesting by adding contrast, creating a focal point or to make a dark, dull corner come alive. I think leaves that are edged with a different colour often look far more refined than blotched and speckled foliage, which sometimes can look a bit garish.\u201d<\/p>\n
Placing is key<\/h3>\n
Careful placing seems to be the key to using variegated plants. \u201cIt takes skill to position variegated plants<\/a>, and some white variegated plants burn in full sun<\/a>, so it is easier to avoid them and whack in their green cousins,\u201d admits Matthew Pottage. \u201cBut with the right thought and consideration, they can add huge value to the colour palette of a garden or border. I admit some have been terribly over-used such as Euonymus fortunei<\/em> \u2018Emerald and Gold\u2019, which I really don\u2019t enjoy, but some superstars such as Liriodendron tulipifera<\/em> \u2018Snowbird\u2019 are just spectacular when positioned well.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00c5sa Gregers-Warg adds: \u201cI generally prefer using plants with white or cream-coloured markings and subtle variegation patterns, using them sparingly to avoid making an overly busy scene. Although striking foliage and bright blossom can work in some settings, I much prefer an understated look, and always set them against neighbours with solid-green foliage for a harmonious effect. As always, it comes down to finding the right plant, not only suited for the growing conditions you\u2019ve got, but also for painting the picture you\u2019re trying to achieve.\u201d<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s our list of the most beautiful variegated plants.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n
Our social media poll<\/h3>\n
We asked Gardens Illustrated<\/em> followers on social media how they felt about variegated plants. The response was mixed. On Instagram, 62 per cent were \u2018for\u2019 variegated plants, and 38 per cent \u2018against\u2019 them. On Twitter, 56 per cent said they love variegated plants, with 12 per cent loathing them and 32 per cent with no strong feelings either way.<\/p>\n
Several respondents were not so keen on golden or yellow variegation, preferring white or cream. @mccanneleanor said: \u201cSome plants with silvery-cream variegation can be beautiful, bringing light and dappling to shaded areas \u2013 but golden variegation = yellow = sickly-looking to me and I can\u2019t quite get past that!\u201d.\u00a0 Several respondents had a particular affection for \u2018Brunnera macrophylla<\/em> \u2018Jack Frost\u2019, while the variegated Aucuba japonica<\/em> was particularly unpopular.<\/p>\n
A beautiful variegated garden<\/h3>\n $\"""\"$ <\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>