# Zone 6 and Variegated Shrubs
Variegated shrubs must be able to withstand winter temperatures down to minus 10 degrees Fahrenheit in order to survive in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zone 6. Pockets and swaths of zone 6 can be found across the United States from West Virginia through Ohio to Oklahoma, New Mexico, California, and up through Oregon and Washington. Check your hardiness zone carefully to make sure you are located within zone 6 before purchasing your variegated shrubs.
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USDA Plant Hardiness Zones
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The United States National Arboretum USDA plant hardiness zone map is a useful tool for determining local hardiness zones. Many other factors, however, determine the growth and adaptability of plants. Consider, factors like wind, soil type, soil moisture, humidity, snow and winter sunshine, in addition to the hardiness zone, prior to purchasing variegated shrubs for the landscape.
Boxwood
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Boxwood is easily trimmed into hedge form. Buxus sempervirens variegata is a broadleaf evergreen boxwood shrub with variegated foliage. It grows to a height of 3 to 5 feet and width of 3 to 4 feet. A full sun or part shade exposure is fine for this shrub but it maintains more attractive foliage when planted in partial shade. Plant it in a location that provides protection from harsh winter winds that can damage the foliage. It can be grown in average soil but prefers sandy loam.
Butterfly Bush
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The Harlequin butterfly bush (Buddleja or Buddleia davidii "Harlequin") grows to a height of 5 to 6 feet tall. The foliage is green with white edges. This variegated shrub produces 6- to 8-inch-long spikes of red flowers from July to September. It is easy to grow in average soil that drains well with a full sun exposure. Butterfly bushes can become invasive in some areas. Check with the local county extension office to determine its invasive potential in the area.
Glossy Abelia
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Glossy abelia (Abelia x grandiflora) Panache Silver Anniversary and Minipan Golden Anniversary both have variegated foliage. Panache Silver Anniversary leaves are bright green with a red tint in the center and silver to cream edges. Minipan Golden Anniversary has bright green foliage with creamy to golden yellow edges. Both types of glossy abelia produce 3/4-inch, white flowers from spring to fall. They can grow to as tall as 3 feet but generally only grow to 1 1/2 feet tall in USDA zone 6. The Francis Mason cultivar can grow to 5 feet tall and blooms in white or pale pink. Its foliage is yellow-green, with bright yellow edges. Glossy abelias prefer organically rich soil that drains well in full sun but can be grown in partial shade.
Viburnum
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Viburnum berries attract birds. European cranberrybush viburnum (Viburnum opulus) Kristy D., also known as Variegatum, has a mature height of 7 feet. Its foliage is green, with splashes of cream. Doublefile viburnum (Viburnum plicatum var. momentous) Shasta Variegated grows to over 10 feet tall. The foliage is green with yellow-green edging. Wayfaringtree viburnum (Viburnum lantana) Variegatum has green foliage with splashes of yellow over the entire leaf surface. It grows to between 10 and 15 feet. These viburnums produce white flowers in May or early June followed by red berries. They prefer loam but can be grown in most types of soil. They will grow equally well in full sun or partial shade.
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