There’s a good and bad side to Chameleon houttuynia, a multi-colored perennial growing 9 to 15 inches tall. Its long, heart-shaped leaves are extremely colorful, containing splotches of purple, pink, and red. Stems are vivid red, and tiny greenish-white flowers appear in the spring. They fill in quickly when planted in moist soil in full sun to part shade, making an attractive ground cover; they can even be used in water gardens. But beware: These plants are invasive; they spread quickly by rhizomes and require barriers to contain their vigorous growth. And when bruised, the leaves give off a powerful and offensive fragrance. Plant with care!