Variegated Oleander, Nerium oleander 'Splendens Variegatum'

Variegated Oleander growing in front of Furcraea foetida 'Mediopicta'

Plants with yellow variegation in their leaves really stand out in a garden and when combined with pink flowers they are even more striking with the clash of colours  not for the feint hearted. These two plants work well together because they have similar sword shaped leaves and both are hardy and dry tolerant. The variegated Oleander is slower growing than the plain green leaf varieties and will occasionally throw out a stem with pure yellow leaves, these entirely lacking in chlorophyll. Likewise it may send out green leaved shoots especially when grown in some shade and these are best trimmed off to retain the distinctive variegation. A cream and green leaf cultivar called 'Mrs Runge' is often pictured in books but as far as I know this variety is unavailable in Australia.

For more details on the variegated Oleander go to this website:Variegated Oleander (Nerium oleander 'Splendens Variegatum') (Department of Natural Resources and Mines)