Euonymus 'Emerald 'n' Gold'
This cheap and cheerful evergreen plant brings a splash of colour to the winter garden with its variegated foliage, which takes on a pink tinge when the temperature plummets.
When grown unsupported it reaches about 60cm in height, and can be clipped into a low hedge or round domes. However, when grown against a wall or fence it will climb to greater heights.
It thrives in all but the wettest soils in sun or part shade. It is fully hardy.
Hebe x franciscana 'Variegata'
This useful evergreen shrub makes a good rounded shape of about 60-120cm high. In winter it brightens the garden with its green and white leaves, whilst in summer it bears spikes of purple flowers.
It grows in a range of soils, in sun and all but the densest shade. In my garden it grows quite happily at the foot of a tall conifer hedge. It does need protection from bitter winds and is hardy down to about -10 deg C.
Carex oshimensis 'Evergold'
This little sedge (which grows to about 30cm tall) almost seems to glow in the winter garden, with its yellow and green striped leaves.
It is a great plant for the front of a border, and looks particularly good when mulched with gravel, slate or stone.
It likes moist but well-drained soil (tolerating drier soil than many sedges) in sun or partial shade and is fully hardy.
Phormium cookianum subsp hookeri 'Tricolor'
This plant is one of the stars of my garden, whether in winter or summer. Its striking, arching form and boldly striped leaves demand attention. Once established it also produces tall flower spikes in summer.
It can grow up to 2m in height and likes a moist but well-drained soil in a sunny position. It is not quite fully hardy so may need protection in very cold areas.
Phormium tenax 'Bronze Baby'
Phormium tenax varieties have a more upright growth habit than the arching Phormium cookianum types.
'Bronze Baby' is an attractive dwarf form with bronze foliage, which grows to only 80cm, making it particularly useful for growing in a container.
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