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- Variegated leaves

Variegated leaves are decorative and essential to shaded parts of the
garden, as they help to lighten or bring colourful interest to these areas.
It is quite difficult to find plants that flower in the shade, so colourful
leaves are a great alternative.

Easy to grow plants include Dieffenbachia (far right), Bromeliads (Middle right),
Ctenanthe (Middle left), and Crotons (left). Begonias, pictured below, also have a wide
variety of coloured leaves, and do well in semi-shaded gardens. Other plants to consider are
Ficus species, Schefflera, Aglaonema, Dianella, Chlorophtyum (hen and chickens), Sanse-
vieria, Cordyline, Codiaeum, Coleus, Hypoestes, Dracaena, Croton, and Colocasia species.

There are so many more to choose from, and while some are extremely resilient, and can
survive our low humidity and heat, others require a bit of pampering with an occasional
mist-spraying. Quite a few of these species are also intolerant of frost, or very cold
conditions. Protect the frost sensitive species like Dieffenbachia in winter, by either
covering with frost cloth, or bringing them indoors. S.C (text & photos)

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