Variegated leaves are wonderful for lighting up a dark corner, especially in winter.
Dry shade is the gardener's greatest challenge but if you look around, there are plenty of beautiful plants with minimal water requirements. No need to limit yourself to succulents and cacti.
For a brilliant splash of limey yellow, I totally love Acanthus mollis 'Hollard's Gold'.
Its huge, shiny gold leaves flourish in dry shade and the plant itself is idiot proof, as the Efficient Gardener is fond of saying when she graciously gives me something from her garden.
Unlike the common oyster plant or bear's breeches (Acanthus mollis), 'Hollard's Gold' is not the least bit invasive, au contraire, you're lucky if it multiplies, which brings me to its only (minor) fault, you need to propagate it if you want a generous sweep rather than a solitary feature.
The only way to do this as far as I can tell is with difficulty. You wait until it has (grudgingly) produced some offsets, prise them away with a sharp pointy knife and replant- it's worth the effort.
Nurseries occasionally offer A. 'Whitewater' with leaves streaked white, but it's tricky and less drought hardy.
'Hollard's Gold' is a star performer for the front row but for a lovely gold chorus you can't beat golden oregano (Origanum vulgare 'Aureum') whose gold leaves are brightest and most eye catching in winter.
A prostrate, creeping form of culinary oregano, it loves full sun but is fine in the shade of a deciduous tree - among evergreens the leaves are a paler gold.
For an eye-catching front row option, Brunnera 'Jack Frost' has large, silvery white leaves edged green, but needs summer water.
- Fiona Ogilvie
It needs little care once established apart from cutting back firmly in spring. The leaves are aromatic, and it has white, occasionally pink, flowers in summer.
Box (Buxus) has two variegated forms that make beautiful topiary for a shady corner and will happily tolerate dry conditions once established.
Buxus sempervirens 'Variegata' has small, oval leaves edged creamy white and the leaves of B. microphylla 'Golden Triumph' are rimmed with bright yellow. Easy from semi ripe cuttings in autumn.
For an eye-catching front row option, Brunnera 'Jack Frost' has large, silvery white leaves edged green, but needs summer water. A white dead nettle, Lamium 'White Nancy' is not invasive and a safer bet in dry ground.
Creamy striped Iris japonica 'Variegata' forms an upright contrast among oval and lacy leaves. This iris is happy in shade though it will produce fewer flowers.
Exciting news for rare plant lovers: Stephen Ryan of Dicksonia Rare Plants (686 Mt. Macedon Road, Victoria (www.stephenryan.com.au/nursery/) now offers mail order. Hurrah! There's no catalogue, you make a list, ring 03 5426 3075 between 10am and 5pm and cross your fingers. There's more than 2000 rare plants, postage varies according to box size.
Daffodils at Rydal (www.rydal.com.au/events) takes place over two weekends, September 7-8 and 14-15, 10am to 4pm.
Thousands of daffodils, Sculptures in the Scrub in memory of sculptor Antony Symons, art show, heritage buildings and music. $15 entry to all gardens. Contact: Lindsay, phone 02 6359 3237 or Carolyn, phone 0438 831 248.