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variegated hostas for shade

Transform your shady garden spaces with stunning variegated hostas for shade. These hardy perennials are a favourite in New Zealand gardens, loved for their striking foliage, easy-care nature, and ability to brighten up even the darkest corners. With distinctive leaves splashed or edged with creamy whites, golds, or lime greens, variegated hostas create long-lasting interest from spring through to autumn. Whether you’re designing a lush woodland border, filling out a shaded courtyard, or searching for elegant ground cover beneath trees, variegated hostas deliver reliable beauty and a touch of sophistication.

Acorus gramineus variegata plants growing in pots with green and cream foliage.

Acorus gramineus variegatus

Acorus gramineus variegatus, commonly known as Variegated Sweet Flag, is an attractive ornamental grass-like plant prized for its elegant green and cream-striped leaves. This hardy, evergreen perennial thrives in NZ gardens and is perfect for adding texture, colour, and movement to wet or shaded areas. Ideal for borders, water features, or pots, it’s a low-maintenance plant that delivers year-round appeal and versatility.

From $20.63

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate
Plant type: Grasses
Height: 30 cm
Spread: 30 cm
Tolerances: Hardy, Wet
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Parks, Paths & Steps, Patios, Ponds, Pool areas, Specimen
Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Riparian
hosta-dew-drop-2

Hosta 'Dew Drop'

5 from 1 customers

Hosta 'Dew Drop' is a charming perennial known for its soft green foliage edged with creamy white. It brings a fresh, bright look to shaded areas in New Zealand gardens and is well suited to smaller spaces. This attractive hosta is ideal for borders, containers, or underplanting. Its compact habit and clean variegation make it a popular choice for adding texture and contrast in low light areas.

From $24.77

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Perennials
Height: 15 cm
Spread: 20 cm
Flowering time: Summer
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Patios, Ponds, Pool areas
Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Tropical
50-windbreak-roll-2
Windbreak - 50% (Garden Shade Cloth)

This green windbreak is also used as garden shade cloth and reduces light levels and windspeeds by 50%. Therefore, 50% of the wind or light will...

From$856.80
Chlorophytum comosum variegatum plants growing in pots on a shelf.
Chlorophytum comosum variegatum (Spider Plant)

Chlorophytum comosum Variegatum, commonly known as the Spider Plant, is a tender, herbaceous perennial grown for its lush and variegated foliage. It...

From$20.01
50-windbreak-2
Shadecloth - 50% Shade (Shade Cloth)

This shade cloth which is also used as garden windbreak, reduces light levels and windspeeds by 50%. Therefore, 50% of the wind or light will still...

From$428.40
Ajuga reptans 'Variegata' plants with variegated foliage and blue flowers.
Ajuga reptans variegata

Ajuga reptans 'Variegata' is a quick-growing, ground-covering plant that features colourful leaves that are variegated green and cream. In spring, it...

From$17.87
70-windbreak-2
Shadecloth - 70% Shade (Shade Cloth For Plants)

This shade cloth for plants, which is also used as plant windbreaks, reduces light levels and windspeeds by 70%. Therefore, 30% of the wind or light...

From$499.80
Ctenanthe lubbersiana plant with yellow and green foliage.
Ctenanthe lubbersiana

Ctenanthe lubbersiana, commonly known as the Bamburanta Plant is a lush foliage plant that is commonly grown indoors as a potted plant. It features...

From$44.09
Buxus sempervirens variegata (Variegated Box) shrub with lush and colourful foliage.
Buxus sempervirens 'variegata'

Buxus sempervirens 'variegata' features small, mid-green leaves with cream-white edges on new growth, which age to become a darker green. It grows to...

From$20.63
A large Calamagrostis 'Overdam' grass with elegant, variegated foliage.
Calamagrostis 'Overdam'

Calamagrostis ‘Overdam’ is a striking variegated ornamental grass that delivers elegant upright form and delicate texture to garden borders and...

From$23.39
Hedera 'Silver Variegata' dark green and cream variegated foliage.
Hedera 'Silver Variegated'

Hedera ‘Silver Variegated’ is a striking evergreen ivy with silvery-green leaves edged in creamy white. Its elegant variegation brightens shaded...

From$20.63
Lomandra White Sands with elegant, variegated foliage in a courtyard garden.
Lomandra White Sands

Lomandra White Sands is a fabulous ornamental grass renowned for its variegated foliage. It features arching, cream, and green-striped leaves and...

From$26.15
schefflera-variegata-
Schefflera arboricola variegated

The variegated Schefflera (Schefflera arboricola Variegated) is an evergreen shrub commonly grown as a houseplant due to its attractive and...

From$27.53
Liriope muscari 'Gold Banded' plants with colourful, variegated foliage and pink flowers.
Liriope 'Gold Banded' (Variegated Liriope)

Liriope 'Gold Banded' produces green leaves edged with gold, and masses of lavender coloured flowers in summer. This herbaceous perennial grows as a...

From$19.25
Cordyline Showoff with green foliage growing by a shop against a black wall.
Cordyline Showoff

Cordyline 'Showoff' is a vibrant, clump-forming variety renowned for its striking, variegated foliage in pink, red, and green, which adds instant...

From$35.19
chlorophytum-curly--2
Chlorophytum Curly (Curly Spider Plant)

Chlorophytum Curly, commonly known as the Curly Spider Plant or Airplane plant, is a tender, herbaceous perennial grown for its lush, variegated, and...

From$22.01
Pittosporum eugenioides variegatum lush foliage.
Pittosporum eugenioides 'variegatum' (Variegated Tarata)

Pittosporum eugenioides Variegatum, commonly known as Variegated Tarata, features slender, dark coloured stems which bear dark green leaves with a...

From$22.01
Pandorea jasminoides variegata pink flower and variegated foliage.
Pandorea jasminoides variegata

Pandorea jasminoides 'Variegata' is a climber that features light pink, trumpet-shaped flowers with a dark pink throat from spring through autumn...

From$30.29
Cordyline australis albertii plants with variegated foliage.
Cordyline albertii

Cordyline albertii (Variegated Cabbage Tree) is a striking evergreen tree admired for its bold green leaves edged with creamy white variegation. This...

From$340.69
Ophiopogon japonicus Silver Mist grass in a garden.
Ophiopogon Silver Mist (Silver Mondo Grass)

Ophiopogon 'Silver Mist' is a dwarf silver Mondo Grass, and features fine, grass-like foliage that is variegated dark green and white. It typically...

From$8.97
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Tiarella Neon Lights

Tiarella Neon Lights is an herbaceous perennial grown for both its foliage and flowers. It grows as a clump, producing large leaves that are...

From$24.77
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Acer palmatum 'Shirazz'

Acer palmatum 'Shirazz' is a stunning variegated Japanese Maple admired for its rich purple red foliage edged with soft pink. The colourful leaves...

From$425.89
Metrosideros kermadecensis 'variegata' red flowers and variegated foliage.
Metrosideros kermadecensis variegata (Variegated Pohutukawa)

Metrosideros kermadecensis 'Variegata' is a striking NZ native shrub or small tree admired for its glossy green leaves edged with creamy variegation...

From$30.29
peperomia-clusiifolia-
Peperomia clusiifolia

Peperomia clusiifolia, commonly known as the Jelly Plant, is a popular and easy to grow indoor plant. It produces short stems carrying thick and...

From$34.43
agave-americana-variegata--1
Agave americana variegata

Agave americana variegata, commonly known as the Variegated Century Plant, is a large succulent that features broad, powder-blue leaves with yellow...

From$26.15
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Ulmus carpinifolia Variegata (Field Elm)

Ulmus carpinifolia Variegata, commonly known as Field Elm or Variegated Elm tree, is a stately, deciduous tree grown for its colourful foliage. The...

From$557.95
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Acer palmatum 'Ukigumo'

Acer palmatum 'Ukigumo' is a rare and highly ornamental Japanese Maple treasured for its striking white and pink variegated foliage. Often called the...

From$440.80
Senecio rowleyanus variegata (Variegated String of Pearls) with trailing foliage growing in a pot.
Senecio rowleyanus variegata

Senecio rowleyanus variegata, commonly known as the Variegated String of Pearls, is a succulent grown for its interesting, bead-like foliage. It...

From$26.15
Acorus gramineus variegatus

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Acer, Acorus, Agave, Ajuga, Buxus, Calamagrostis, Chlorophytum, Cordyline, Ctenanthe, Hedera, Hosta, Liriope, Lomandra, Metrosideros, Ophiopogon, Pandorea, Peperomia, Pittosporum, Schefflera, Senecio Tiarella and Ulmus, or related Categories - Shadecloth & Windbreak, Evergreen Climbers, Grasses, Mondo Grass, Groundcover Plants, Indoor Plants, Perennials, Evergreen Shrubs, Succulents, Deciduous Trees Evergreen Trees and Maple Tree.

Search variegated hostas for shade

Why Choose Variegated Hostas for Shade?

Variegated hostas are the perfect solution for shady gardens where other plants might struggle. Their vibrant patterned leaves reflect light, visually lifting dim areas and adding bold contrast to companion ferns, astilbes, and heucheras. Most types thrive in partial to full shade, withstanding cold winters and adapting well to New Zealand’s varied climates. Once established, hostas require minimal maintenance—just mulch to retain moisture, occasional watering during dry spells, and a spot sheltered from strong afternoon sun and wind.

Top Variegated Hostas for New Zealand Gardens

There’s a dazzling array of variegated hostas for shade to suit every taste and garden style. For a classic look, Hosta Minuteman features deep green leaves margined with crisp white, creating a sophisticated mound of foliage that looks good throughout the season. If you’d like a hosta that adds a golden glow to your garden, Hosta 'Golden Tiara' (Hosta Golden Tiara) is an excellent choice, with compact growth and chartreuse-edged leaves—the perfect edging plant for pathways and borders.

For something truly eye-catching, Hosta Patriot delivers bold drama with its thick leaves boldly outlined in white, while Hosta Queen Josephine combines muted blue-green leaves with creamy-yellow margins for a unique multicolour effect. Don’t miss Hosta Pizzazz if you want a large, architectural feature plant—it offers broad, showy leaves with strong variegation that will be a highlight in any shaded landscape.

Planting and Caring for Variegated Hostas

Plant your variegated hostas for shade in fertile, well-drained soil enriched with organic matter. Hostas are happiest with consistent moisture, especially during the warmer months, so mulch well to help retain soil dampness. Slugs and snails can nibble hosta leaves, so lookout for these garden pests and manage them promptly. In autumn, cut back old foliage as plants go dormant—new growth will emerge fresh and vibrant each spring.

Brighten Shade with Variegated Hostas

Variegated hostas for shade are unbeatable for adding texture, colour, and structure beneath trees or alongside buildings. Explore our collection of hostas today and discover how easy it is to achieve a lush, inviting shade garden in your own backyard. From the striking white margins of Hosta Patriot to the golden hues of Hosta 'Golden Tiara' (Hosta Golden Tiara), the perfect hosta is waiting to brighten your garden’s shaded spots.

Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

Illustration of plant leaves.
Schefflera arboricola (Dwarf Umbrella Tree) and Sambucus nigra are popular for a reason, but it’s plants like Hebe Wiri Image, Prunus lusitanica, and Heuchera 'Northern Exposure Silver' that create a truly unique garden.
–The Plant Company

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