Plants with Silver Leaves Permanently
In the world of horticulture, silver-foliaged perennials have become a popular choice for garden enthusiasts seeking to add a touch of elegance and resilience to their outdoor spaces. These plants, with their shimmering silver leaves, can brighten darker corners of the landscape or provide a soothing contrast against the backdrop of green foliage.
Many silver-foliaged perennials thrive in full sun and dry soils, making them ideal for gardens with well-drained soil and exposure to the sun. Among these sun-loving plants, the Silver Stone Cushion Bush (Calocephalus 'Silver Stone') stands out with its silvery-gray, cushion-like foliage. This plant is highly drought-tolerant once established, making it an excellent choice for xeriscaping and dry gardens.
Lamb's Ear (Stachys byzantina) is another popular choice, known for its soft, whitish hairs covering the leaves, providing a silver appearance. This perennial thrives in full sun and dry soils and is often used as a groundcover. Cultivars like 'Silver Carpet' maintain a consistent silver color and a low height of around 12 inches.
Artemisia species are also favourites among gardeners. These perennials, with their wooly gray foliage, prefer full sun with dry soils. Varieties such as Artemisia 'Silver Mound' are finely dissected and form clumps about 15 inches tall.
Senecio candidans ‘Angel Wings’, Eryngium giganteum (Sea Holly), and Lychnis coronaria are other sun-loving perennials with silver foliage. Senecio candidans ‘Angel Wings’ has large leathery silver leaves, while Eryngium giganteum boasts silvery-blue leaves. Lychnis coronaria, a hardy perennial, requires minimal care and produces showy rose, white, or red flowers in summer.
Shade-loving perennials with silver foliage markings can also be found. Japanese Painted Fern (Athyrium niponicum 'Pictum'), Yellow Archangel (Lamiastrum), Coralbells (Heuchera) some cultivars, and Heartleaf Brunnera (Brunnera macrophylla 'Langtrees' and 'Jack Frost') are all suitable for almost any sunny, dry situation.
Russian Sage (Salvia yangii syn. Perovskia atriplicifolia) is a standout among these shade-loving perennials, with its lavender-blue flowers that complement its gray, aromatic foliage. If allowed to remain, its silvery stems and leaves will stand in the garden through much of the winter.
These silver-foliaged perennials, with their ornamental value and resilience to dry, sunny conditions, make excellent choices for gardens seeking a touch of silver sparkle. Whether in full sun or shade, these plants can blend with other colours, contrast, or stand out, adding a unique charm to any garden.
- The Silver Stone Cushion Bush (Calocephalus 'Silver Stone') is a sun-loving perennial with silvery-gray, cushion-like foliage, perfect for gardens with well-drained soil and exposure to the sun.
- Lamb's Ear (Stachys byzantina), known for its soft, whitish hairs covering the leaves, is another sun-loving plant that thrives in full sun and dry soils.
- Artemisia species, with their wooly gray foliage, also prefer full sun with dry soils and are among the favorites among gardeners.
- Japanese Painted Fern (Athyrium niponicum 'Pictum'), Heartleaf Brunnera (Brunnera macrophylla 'Langtrees' and 'Jack Frost'), and some Coralbells (Heuchera) cultivars are shade-loving perennials with silver foliage markings, suitable for almost any sunny, dry situation.
- Russian Sage (Salvia yangii syn. Perovskia atriplicifolia) is a shade-tolerant perennial with lavender-blue flowers and gray, aromatic foliage, making it a standout option for gardens seeking a touch of silver sparkle in shaded areas.
