Polygonatum multiflorum 'Variegatum'

Polygonatum multiflorum 'Variegatum': Woodland Grace with a Silver Edge

Elegant and softly luminous, Polygonatum multiflorum 'Variegatum' brings refined structure and subtle colour to shaded gardens. Arching stems rise in graceful arcs, lined with creamy-white edged leaves and nodding, bell-shaped white flowers in late spring. The variegation adds brightness to dim spaces, while the plant’s upright-yet-flowing form lends rhythm and movement. A true classic for the woodland border, it transitions beautifully into fall with golden foliage and ornamental blue-black berries.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 60–75 cm
• Spread: 45–60 cm
• Flower Colour: White, bell-shaped
• Flowering Period: Mid to late spring
• Foliage: Green with creamy-white margins; arching stems; turns golden yellow in fall
• Sunlight Requirements: Part shade to full shade
• Soil Requirements: Moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil

Uses and Benefits: 'Variegatum' brightens shady corners and woodland paths, where its variegated leaves catch filtered light and its elegant form softens hard lines. It naturalizes gently by rhizomes, forming graceful drifts under trees or along shaded borders. Low maintenance and deer resistant, it offers beauty across multiple seasons—from spring flowers to fall foliage and ornamental berries.

Companion Plants: Pair with the silvery-veined foliage of Heuchera 'Silver Scrolls', the copper-tinged fronds of Dryopteris 'Brilliance', and the frothy blooms and patterned foliage of Tiarella 'Sugar and Spice' for a textural, shade-loving tapestry full of soft colour contrast and layered interest.

Care Instructions: Plant in part to full shade with moist, well-drained, organic soil. Water regularly in the first season to establish. Cut back old foliage in late fall or early spring. Let clumps expand naturally, dividing only when necessary in early spring.

History: A cultivated form of the European native Polygonatum multiflorum, 'Variegatum' has earned a place in classic and contemporary shade gardens alike for its timeless beauty, ornamental foliage, and graceful growth habit.

Final Thoughts: With its luminous leaves and flowing form, Polygonatum 'Variegatum' adds light, movement, and elegance to shaded borders—proof that in the quiet of the woodland garden, grace never goes unnoticed.