You know, I am looking at budding and flowering Epipactis helleborine all the time, just take a look at our "walk about" thread. I have never ever seen a variegated helleborine. I think I might have flipped my lid if I would have been in your shoes! How exciting!!
If that were me, I would put a cage around it to protect it, and see if it comes back next year and if it is again coming up variegated. I would certainly keep my eye on that plant.
Btw, yes I have read people talking about this charming little Orchid as being invasive. Somehow I really doubt that. The only reason people might come up with that is because this Orchid is indigenous to parts of Northern Europe and found its way here. I remember a Swedish lady telling me that this this plant grows near her home town. Somehow I can't possibly imagine this plant taking over, especially not in our temperate climate.
Now Japanese Knotweed? Now we are talking invasive!!
