Can anyone tell me what this little shrub is?

[chipmonkey]

The little one in front with the pink/green variegated leaves?
here?
I remember having it in our garden when I was a child.

[mummylin2495]

Not sure but t could be a coleus

[Mirage]

Yep,it is a Coleus.They are easy to grow from seed too.

[chipmonkey]

Thank you!!! Mumsnet succeeded where google failed!
I am growing a fairy garden on dd's grave and I love the colour of the leaves.

[mummylin2495]

Glad we could help in such a special event

[Mirage]

What a lovely idea.

[LadyMud]

It's a Polka Dot Plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya), I think

I hope your Fairy Garden is a comfort x

[TheFogsGettingThicker]

Second the Hypoestes (Polka Dot plant),

It won't be frost hardy though, it's usually sold as a houseplant.

[chipmonkey]

Well, that would be fine if I lived in California but sadly I live in Ireland and frost is fairly common! So maybe the polka-dot plant is not such a good idea. I also like the idea of tiny bonsais for trees but a lot of them are indoorsy as well.

[Talkinpeace]

have a look at something like this
www.tinytreasuresnursery.com/Plant%20Pages/Hebe%20Silver%20Dollar.htm

[chipmonkey]

Oh, that is lovely! . I am going to plant little shrubs that can look like trees, thyme and rosemary etc. Lots of bulbs in winter that can come up in spring as well.

[Talkinpeace]

There are some really nice alpines that will do a passable impression of a fairy forest : and if you are in Ireland, do not rule out this chap
apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector/plant?plantid=255
and make use of some of these
apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector/selectionresults?ms=166&hg=134&sp=145&hr=29&op=0&sst=&snb=

[chipmonkey]

Talkin, you are a fount of knowledge!

[Talkinpeace]

try fanatical gardener!

that and I've built a green roof outside my daughter's bedroom window so have trialled lots of things to see what grows low, robust but has pretty flowers ....