Plants with Variegated Foliage

To get the most gold markings possible, give this grass a spot in full sun; it won’t scorch. While it grows fine in part shade, the stems have fewer gold stripes. Plant one of the unique grasses where the breeze will rustle the leaves and make them shimmer. Pair it with bolder foliage plants to really show off the texture. And for a classic autumn combo, plant porcupine grass with other late-blooming perennials.

Type Perennial Blooms Tan to silver plumes in fall Light Full sun to part shade Soil Moist, well-drained Size 5 to 8 ft. tall, 2 to 6 ft. wide Hardiness Cold hardy in USDA zones 5 to 9

To get daphne established, give it extra winter protection and make sure it never stresses from too much or too little water. If you need to prune, do it right after it blooms. But don’t take off more than a few tips or ‘Briggs Moonlight’ may be slow to recover.

Type Semi-evergreen shrub Blooms Fragrant pale pink in midspring Light Part to full shade Soil Moist, well drained Size 3 to 4 ft. tall, 3 to 6 ft. wide Hardiness Cold hardy in USDA zones 5 to 8

The first couple of years after you set out a new start of variegated horseradish, the leaves will be plain green — that’s normal. It needs the extra nutrients from those leaves to get established. Be patient, and the foliage will marble, mottle and splash.

Type Perennial Blooms Insignificant white flowers in early summer Light Full sun to part shade Soil Moist, well-drained Size 24 to 36 in. tall, 18 to 36 in. wide Hardiness Cold hardy in USDA zones 3 to 10

Virginia creeper is a great choice for covering a chainlink fence or scrambling up a tree trunk. After several years, its stems will get woody and the base can grow bare. Prune in early winter by trimming the entire plant back by a third to half to thicken it up. If you want the height but not the bulk, thin out some of the excess stems.

Type Woody vine Blooms Not showy Light Full sun to part shade Soil Moist, well-drained Size 20 to 35 ft. tall, spreading Hardiness Cold hardy in USDA zones 4 to 9

Plant nasturtiums along a driveway or sidewalk, and they’ll take the hot and dry conditions in stride. If you want lots of flowers, don’t fertilize. But if you’re after more of the foliage, give them a dose of a water-soluble fertilizer after they start growing.

Type Annual Blooms Shades of cream, yellow and orange late spring until frost Light Full sun to part shade Soil Poor, well-drained Size 12 to 14 in. tall, 15 to 18 in. wide

Edged with a band of gold, each sturdy leaf of this plant seems to light up. As the temperatures cool down in fall and winter, the gold stripes change to shades of pink. Grow this heat-loving plant in full sun and soil that drains well — it won’t tolerate wet feet. To keep the foliage looking good, dig and divide every three to four years. Replant the most robust rosettes and toss the rest on the compost.

Type Evergreen shrub Blooms Creamy white spires in midsummer Light Full sun to part shade Soil Well-drained Size 24 to 48 in. tall, 18 to 36 in. wide Hardiness Cold hardy in USDA zones 4 to 11