Wednesday, December 19, 2007

ABC Wednesday - V is for Variegation


ABC Wednesday - V is for Variegation

If you are here for Wordless Wednesday kindly scroll down to the next post. Think about joining ABC Wednesday it is a good, fun group.


I really wanted to have seasonal tie in to this post so I went yesterday and found a Variegated Poinsettia. Here are two views of two different plants. I wasn’t sure about the second one since the leaves were solid green but since the colored parts of a Poinsettia are actually ‘bracts’ or modified leaves I think it counts as variegated. Actually I found out after writing this variegation counts on flowers, stems and leaves.

The reasons for and the types of variegations can get quite scientific. While I am fascinated by plant science and it is a necessary part of my work it really comes down to weather I like the looks of a plant and how well it functions in its position. In that way I guess I am more of a farmer then a scientist. I do like variegated plants and find them a good way to accent plantings and in shade gardens, especially, brighten up the garden. Most have a certain elegance about them that can add a touch of class to what would normally be a mundane planting.

A good low light houseplant, Pilea cadierei or Aluminum Plant is an example of blister type variegation.

Inch Plant (Tradescantia zebrina)

Simply put a plant is considered variegated when there is more than one color on the leaves. These colorings have to be genetic and not the product of soil deficiencies, pests or plant diseases. There different types of variegation including striped, mottled and margined. Generally variegated plants are less hardy, slower growing and considered weaker than their all green counterparts. They can only be reproduced by vegetative reproduction (don’t come true to seed).

A plant with a lot of synonyms, Buxus sempervirens 'Elegantissima' or Variegated Boxwood. An example of margined variegation. This picture shows some of the striking effect variegated plants can have in the garden.

If you want some more information on variegation here is a link to a good article on
Wikipedia


Here are some of the blogs that participate in ABC Wednesday. I am finding new people all the time. I would like to wish everyone a Happy Holidays and thank them for the opportunity to be part of such a fine group. I can’t believe we have made it almost all the way through the alphabet! It is getting a little difficult to visit everyone now. I try and visit the UK people before I go to work as it about 11pm there when I get home from work and the US west coast people in my afternoon. I haven’t figured out exactly where the Aussies fit in to the timing.

One more thing, I see one of my favorite bloggers in ABC, Walks for Women has deleted her blog. I hope she is okay as she was a great Blogger whose site I often left thinking about what she wrote. If anyone knows what happened please email me. If you happen to read this WFW I really enjoyed your blog and I hope someday you will start it up again. God bless you and I hope your Holidays are filled with warmth, family and a sense of peace.



The elegant leaves of Variegated Blue Holly (Ilex x meserveae 'Honey Maid')

25 comments:

dot said...

I didn't know there was a variegated poinsettia! Very pretty.
I've wondered about WFW also and hope all is well with her.

Anonymous said...

These leaves are just as pretty as the flowers in your other posts Deb :)

Anonymous said...

I'm sure you know our variegation love at my house! We have a variegated poinsettia. I'll have to get a photo of it this weekend when it is sunny out. Too dark by the time I get home. Speaking of variegated, I have a fern I found that I can't decide if it is truly variegated or not. Will post that as well.

Jean M Fogle said...

Very Varigated shots! There is a void in the garden without varigation!

Andrea said...

Very nice. All the plants are beautiful.

Mr. McGregor's Daughter said...

While I dislike those white ponsettias painted the fake-looking blue or purple, I really like the variegated ponsettia.

Anonymous said...

Yep its begining to look alot like christmas. There plants are out in masses over here right now.

Rune Eide said...

A very interesting post. Informative for me personally, since I am very fond of Poinsettia and posted a picture of a large one a couple of days ago. However, I cannot compete on the photography of plants!

Max-e said...

Very informative post and great pictures. Not many poinsettias here, but up towards Central Africa they grew like weeds in our gardens.
Thanks for your during my recovery they were appreciated.

Pete M said...

As ever stunning flower photography

kml said...

I have never seen a variegated Poinsettia before - very pretty!

DigitalShutterMania said...

very nice flower and leaves photo.
Thanks for shring great post for this Wednesday : )

Christine said...

Wow...gorgeous shots, each and every one of them! I'm super partial to the boxwood...stunning.

I have two questions, if you don't mind:

1.) how did you find out people were using your photos without permission>

2.) how did you create that cool ABC Wed. scrolling blogroll? I'd love to use it!

NYCindividual said...

I just joined ABC Wednesday and thought I would stop bye. By the way, I love the santa pic. It's very cute!

Happyone said...

Great idea and pictures - I never would have thought of that.

Neva said...

Another "V" I didn't consider....a great one!

photowannabe said...

Excellent choice for V. All the varigated colors add so much to the Holiday celebrations. Nice shots.

Lilli & Nevada said...

Very beautiful colors.

Shesawriter said...

All the pictures are gorgeous. :-)

Happy WW! Thanks for visiting my blog. :-)

My Wordless Wednesday #3

bonnie said...

It's so sweet that you were able to include a holiday theme with our letter today. Your photography is fabulous. I want to eat your pictures!

Lynette said...

This is such a great ABC post! I've always been partial to variegated plants. One of my favorites through the years is the one you've labeled Inch Plant. My Daddy's mama grew great big pots of it, while my Mama's grew it in the ground and in pots. They both called it Wandering Jew. Do you suppose that name comes from some connection to Jacob's coat of many colors? Thank you so much for your warm and thoughtful holiday wishes--I shall send them swiftly back to you and yours. And thanks for visiting my blog.

Lynette said...

Shoot, I forgot to tell you something that I think you'll find interesting. About six years ago, I got a start of the wandering jew from a neighbor--she just pinched of about 10 pieces and we stuck them around in a big pot filled with potting soil. In no time at all, we had a fantastic potful, overflowing with grace. Come winter, which in Mississippi can be unexpectedly cold, I knew that I didn't want to lose it or any of my other potted plants (we lived in a campground where we weren't allowed to dig up the ground), so off to the store I in search of a tarp to make a shelter. Lo and behold, I found a child's dome-shaped tent, easy to assemble, which I filled with plants. Although it got cold enough to shrivel most of the plants a bit, all survived and flourished again in the spring.

Sorry for the rambling, but that photo of the inch plant got me going!

AVCr8teur said...

I think I learned a new word "Variegation". Who said blogging was a waste of time! That aluminum plant looks like something I wouldn't mind planting.

Thanks for the holiday wish. Same to you and your family. I hope you get a few camera-related gifts in your stocking this Christmas.

K M F said...

great one

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous as usual. I love the red Christmas plants (that's what I call them). We have these lined up along the walkway to our apartment. The complex displays them every Christmas, and they are so lush in colour.