Tuesday, December 10, 2024

53 Silver and Gray Foliage Plants for Stunning Gardens

Silvery-gray foliage brings a unique charm to the garden, offering both elegance and versatility. This understated color works wonders as a backdrop, helping other plants shine and elevating the overall aesthetic.

Whether it’s a border, bed, or container garden, gray, silver, or blue-gray leaves can create striking contrasts and add sophistication to your planting design.

Pair silver-leafed plants with flowers in pink, white, blue, or even deep burgundy tones to achieve harmonious combinations. They’re also excellent for softening bold colors like red, orange, and yellow, or for blending seamlessly with cooler shades. Thanks to their subtle texture and tone, these plants complement nearly any garden palette.

Beyond their beauty, many silver-foliaged plants are hardy and practical. They often thrive in hot, dry conditions and are well-suited for sunny spots with well-drained soil. Some varieties feature fully silver leaves, while others display intricate mottling.

Their unique adaptations, like waxy coatings or fine hairs, not only create their silvery appearance but also help them reflect sunlight and retain moisture, making them ideal for drought-prone areas.

In the garden, silver-leafed plants can serve multiple purposes. They act as stunning focal points, break up monotonous green foliage, and balance vibrant colors. Their ability to cool a planting scheme while adding texture makes them indispensable in landscape design.

Interestingly, these plants aren’t truly silver—they’re green underneath, just like any other plant. Their silvery sheen comes from reflective hairs, wax, or specialized cells that hide the green chlorophyll. This adaptation not only gives them their distinctive look but also enhances their resilience in harsh environments.

Ready to add some silvery flair to your garden? These versatile plants are low-maintenance, eye-catching, and perfect for a variety of settings. Consider incorporating a few into your landscape for an effortlessly elegant touch.

Honeywort

Honeywort (Cerinthe major ‘Purpurascens’) is a hardy annual that effortlessly fills gaps in garden borders. Its silvery blue-green leaves and purple, bell-shaped flowers are not only beautiful but also irresistible to bees. This plant self-seeds easily and makes an excellent choice for cut flowers. Plant it in moist but well-drained soil under full sun for the best results.

Honeywort
Credit: Eden Brothers

Bluebeard

The Caryopteris clandonensis ‘Sterling Silver’ shrub features silvery blue-green foliage and bursts into deep blue blooms in late summer. It’s perfect for a sunny patio container or the front of a well-drained border. Prune it hard after flowering to ensure a vibrant display the next year.

Bluebeard
Credit: The Spruce

Silver Bush

Convolvulus cneorum dazzles with its shimmering, silky silver leaves and delicate white flowers. While this plant has a shorter lifespan, its striking appearance makes it worth replanting when needed. Even though bindweed shares its family name, this one is far more garden-friendly and charming.

Silver Bush
Credit: Gardening Express

Cotton Lavender

Santolina chamaecyparissus, also called cotton lavender, is a tidy evergreen shrub with finely textured, aromatic leaves and cheerful yellow pom-pom flowers. It works well as groundcover, in borders, or in pots.

For a smaller, more compact variety, try Santolina chamaecyparissus ‘Pretty Carol’. If bright yellow flowers aren’t your preference, consider the softer-toned Santolina lindavica for its cream to pale yellow blooms and more feathery grey-green foliage.

Cotton Lavender
Credit: Wikipedia

Sea Holly (Eryngium spp.)

This plant is a real showstopper with its thistle-like, steel-blue flowers and spiky, silver foliage. It thrives from July to September and reaches up to 3 feet in height. Perfect for gravel gardens or large borders, it loves full sun and well-drained soil.

Not to mention, it’s super easy to grow and isn’t invasive. The ‘Silver Ghost’ variety, in particular, sports extra silvery leaves that are sure to catch the eye.

Sea Holly (Eryngium spp.)
Credit: Gardeners’ World

Rose Campion (Lychnis coronaria)

This plant is a charm with its shock of magenta flowers that are beloved by pollinators and bloom in the late summer. It grows best in dry, well-drained soil, enhancing its silvery leaf color. What’s great about rose campion is its versatility—it can brighten up large areas as a ground cover or stand out in mixed garden settings.

It typically reaches about 2 to 3 feet in height and spreads up to 2 feet. Just remember to deadhead the flowers to prevent self-seeding.

Rose Campion (Lychnis coronaria)
Credit: Sugar Creek Gardens

Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus)

Cardoon combines ornamental beauty with culinary potential. Its silvery, deeply cut leaves and globe-like purple flowers create a bold statement in large gardens. While prized for its dramatic appearance, cardoon’s leaf stalks are also a Mediterranean delicacy. Grow it in sunny, fertile, well-drained soil for the best results.

  • Growing Conditions: Full sun; rich, well-drained soil
  • Size: 3–7 feet tall, 2–3 feet wide
  • Hardiness Zones: 6–9
Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus)
Credit: Fine Gardening

Pittosporum tenuifolium ‘Silver Queen’

The Pittosporum tenuifolium ‘Silver Queen’ is a standout choice with its elegant white-edged leaves that shimmer like silver. Come late spring to early summer, this plant delights with clusters of small, bell-shaped purple flowers. Perfect as a focal shrub or shaped into a hedge, it thrives best in a sheltered area of your garden.

Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Silver Queen'
Credit: Architectural Plants

‘Silver King’ Artemisia

‘Silver King’ artemisia, also known as Artemisia ludoviciana ‘Silver King.’ This plant is a fast grower, featuring dazzling silvery foliage that’s often used in fall wreaths due to its vibrant color and fine texture. It grows up to three feet in both height and width and loves a sunny spot with well-draining soil.

Though its flowers are modest, the leaves are visually striking and offer great contrast in any garden setting. Be mindful, as it tends to spread and may require containment. It’s also resilient against rabbits and deer, making it an excellent choice for varied gardens.

'Silver King' Artemisia
Credit: Lurvey Landscape Supply

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia). 

Lavender’s silvery leaves bring a touch of magic to winter gardens, providing visual interest long after its soft purple blooms have faded. Though beautiful, lavender is toxic to both humans and pets, so take care when planting it.

Key Details:

  • Zones: 5-9
  • Size: 1-2 feet tall, 2-3 feet wide
  • Light: Full sun or partial shade
  • Soil: Well-draining

Whether as a fragrant addition to your garden or a wintertime delight, lavender’s charm is hard to resist.

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia). 
Credit: Seed Corner

Russian Sage (Salvia yangii)

This perennial beauty not only brings a burst of delicate violet-blue flowers from late summer into fall, but its silver stems and gray-green leaves also add a unique, airy touch to any landscape.

It’s a hardy plant, thriving in zones 5 through 9, and can grow 2-4 feet both in height and width. Russian sage loves the full sun and well-draining soil, making it an excellent choice for drought-prone areas. Although it’s resilient against deer and rabbits, be mindful as it can spread in some regions.

Russian Sage (Salvia yangii)
Credit: North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Learn How to Grow and Use Clary Sage: A Gardener’s Guide

Yellow Archangel (Lamium galeobdolon ‘Hermann’s Pride’)

Unlike its more invasive cousins, ‘Hermann’s Pride’ is a contained variety perfect for shade gardens. It features striking silver leaves marked with green veins and sports yellow flowers in spring.

This variety remains compact, reaching only 12 to 15 inches in height with an 18-inch spread, thriving in zones 3 to 8. It’s an ideal selection for anyone looking for a non-invasive ground cover that maintains its boundaries.

Yellow Archangel
Credit: Wasco Nursery & Garden Center

Curry Plant (Helichrysum italicum)

This evergreen shrub is renowned for its silvery leaves and the curry-like aroma they emit. During the summer, it produces bright yellow flowers that are perfect as cut blooms. Hardy in zones 8 to 11, the curry plant grows up to 2 feet tall and 3 feet wide.

It prefers full sun and well-drained soil. While it may remind you of culinary curry, this plant is all about ornamental value and scent, making it a standout in any garden setting.

Curry Plant (Helichrysum italicum)
Credit: UIC Heritage Garden

Silver-Leaved Poplar

The silver-leaved poplar (Populus alba) stands out for its two-tone leaves, featuring dark green on top and shimmering silver underneath. While these trees grow quickly, they’re notoriously invasive in several states, so proceed with caution. If you’re after something similar but less aggressive, consider Lombardy poplar or quaking aspen.

  • USDA Zones: 3-8
  • Mature Size: 50-75 ft. tall, 50-75 ft. wide
  • Light Requirements: Full sun
  • Soil Preferences: Adapts to most soil types
Silver-Leaved Poplar
Credit: Southwest Colorado Wildflowers

‘Silver Mound’ Artemisia

‘Silver Mound’ artemisia (Artemisia schmidtiana ‘Silver Mound’) is a compact perennial with soft, silver-gray leaves. It’s a classic choice for rock gardens or border plantings, thanks to its deer resistance and subtle texture. Although it can lose its rounded shape in midsummer, trimming it back encourages fresh growth.

  • USDA Zones: 3-7
  • Mature Size: 8-10 in. tall, 10-24 in. wide
  • Light Requirements: Full sun
  • Soil Preferences: Moist, well-drained soil

For sunny gardens, this perennial is a low-maintenance favorite. Its fine-textured, deeply lobed leaves add elegance, while its flowers remain unremarkable. A midsummer trim often revives its tidy form.

'Silver Mound' Artemisia
Credit: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Japanese Painted Fern

The Japanese painted fern (Athyrium niponicum) is a shade-loving plant known for its silvery-green fronds accented with hints of purple. It’s a slow grower that adds a delicate, layered look to shady corners without becoming invasive. Be mindful, though—rabbits may take a liking to it.

  • USDA Zones: 4-9
  • Mature Size: 18-24 in. tall, 18-24 in. wide
  • Light Requirements: Partial to full shade
  • Soil Preferences: Fertile, well-draining soil rich in organic matter

Pair this fern with bold foliage plants like ‘Jack Frost’ brunnera for a striking contrast. Its refined texture and subtle colors make it an eye-catching addition to woodland or shade gardens.

Japanese Painted Fern
Credit: Sylvan Gardens Landscape Contractors

Learn How to Grow and Care for Elkhorn Fern: Easy Tips for Beginners

Snow-in-Summer (Cerastium tomentosum)

If you’re after a ground cover that doesn’t just blend into the background, Snow-in-Summer is a great pick. Unlike many grey-leaved plants that shoot up flower spikes, this one forms a dense mat of petite, silvery-grey leaves paired with charming white flowers. It’s perfect for softening the edges of raised beds or cascading over walls.

Come June, its foliage sets the stage for a dazzling display of snow-white blooms. It thrives in full to partial sun and prefers well-draining soil. Hardy from zones 3-7, this plant can spread up to 18 inches wide and reaches 6-12 inches in height.

After it blooms, don’t hesitate to trim it back aggressively—it’ll rebound beautifully, maintaining its stunning silvery appearance.

Snow-in-Summer (Cerastium tomentosum)
Credit: Hello Hello Plants & Garden Supplies

Spotted Dead-Nettle (Lamium maculatum)

Spotted Dead-Nettle is a real trooper in the garden, offering not just beauty but resilience. Sporting silvery leaves that catch the eye, it’s available in several cultivars, producing flowers in shades from purple to white. Fast-growing and deer-resistant, it’s an excellent choice for ground cover.

It thrives in partial shade and well-draining soil, growing 4-8 inches tall and spreading 2-3 feet. While it’s semi-evergreen in milder climates, it might need a trim in hotter, humid conditions to rejuvenate and fill back in.

Spotted Dead-Nettle (Lamium maculatum)
Credit: The Morton Arboretum

Licorice Plant (Helichrysum petiolare)

For those in warmer zones, the Licorice Plant is a perennial that doubles as a show-stealing annual in cooler areas. This vine-like plant with its viney, silver foliage is perfect for containers and hanging baskets, adding a dramatic flair wherever placed.

It enjoys full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. This hardy plant can grow up to 9 inches tall and 36 inches wide, flourishing in zones 9-11. Not only does it look good, but it also emits a slight licorice scent in the heat, adding a sensory pleasure to its visual appeal.

Licorice Plant (Helichrysum petiolare)
Credit: Art Knapp of Kamloops

Woolly Thyme

This charming ground cover, scientifically known as Thymus pseudolanuginosus, sports gray-green leaves that feel just like wool. Thanks to tiny silver hairs, the foliage has a delightful, fuzzy silver appearance.

Woolly thyme loves basking in full sun and grows best in well-draining soil. It stays low to the ground, reaching heights of 2-6 inches and can spread out to 1-3 feet wide. In early summer, you’ll be treated to its pale pink flowers.

Woolly Thyme
Credit Wikipedia

Lamb’s Ear

Soft and velvety, Lamb’s Ear (Stachys byzantina) is a tactile delight with leaves that mimic the shape and texture of a lamb’s ear. Perfect as a ground cover for dry, sunny spots, this perennial is more about its fascinating foliage than its flowers.

However, it does produce small purple blossoms on tall spikes from late spring to mid-summer. It grows up to 18 inches tall and wide, thriving in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil.

Lamb's Ear (Stachys byzantina)
Credit: The Spruce

Mullein

Common mullein (Verbascum thapsus) is hard to miss with its towering spikes of yellow flowers and large, silvery leaves. Often found growing wild, this robust perennial is a champion in poor soil, making it a fantastic choice for challenging spots in your landscape.

Mullein reaches an impressive height of 3-10 feet and spreads 2-3 feet wide. It prefers full sun and well-draining soil, with its bloom season stretching from June to September.

Common mullein (Verbascum thapsus)
Credit: wikipedia

Carnations (Dianthus caryophyllus)

Known scientifically as Dianthus caryophyllus, these herbaceous perennials typically grow as annuals and are renowned not just for their vibrant flowers but also for their striking silvery blue foliage. They thrive in full to partial sun and prefer moist, well-drained soil. Expect them to reach a height of one to four feet and spread about six to twelve inches wide.

Carnations (Dianthus caryophyllus)
Credit: The Spruce

Parry’s agave (Agave parryi)

This slow-growing succulent features a distinct geometric rosette form and toothed, silvery blue leaves. It’s quite hardy, tolerating temperatures down to -20℉, making it a resilient choice for many gardens. It does best in full sun or partial shade and requires well-draining soil. Mature Parry’s agave plants typically measure one to three feet both in height and width.

Parry's agave (Agave parryi)
Credit: Elgin Nursery & Tree Farm

Blue fescue (Festuca glauca)

Blue fescue, or Festuca glauca, is a semi-evergreen grass that forms silvery blue, mound-shaped tufts. It’s an ideal border plant or a complement to other ornamental grasses. Every few years, you might need to divide your blue fescue to keep it healthy. It enjoys full to partial sun and grows best in well-draining soil.

This grass usually stands about six to twelve inches tall and wide and is perfect for edging, thanks to its mounding habit, which provides a beautiful contrast to taller, upright grasses.

Blue fescue (Festuca glauca)
Credit: The Plant Hub

Eucalyptus trees (Eucalyptus cinerea)

Known for its aromatic, silver, coin-shaped leaves, the Eucalyptus cinerea, or silver dollar tree, is a stunning choice. It thrives perennially in warmer zones, but those in cooler climates can enjoy it as an annual. This fast-growing tree not only looks great but also brings a refreshing, spa-like scent to any space.

However, be mindful that it can be toxic to both people and pets. It loves full sun and well-draining soil, reaching heights of 15-55 feet and spreading 10-15 feet wide.

Eucalyptus trees (Eucalyptus cinerea)
Credit: Wikipedia

Find out Why Bradford Pear Trees Are Bad for Your Garden: The Invasive Truth

Silver sedum (Sedum rupestre ‘Silver’)

The Sedum rupestre ‘Silver’ is a tough little succulent perfect for rock gardens or walls needing a splash of silvery blue. Its fleshy, cylindrical leaves make it super low-maintenance, requiring barely any water. This plant does best in full sun with well-draining soil, growing 3-6 inches tall and spreading 1-2 feet.

Silver sedum (Sedum rupestre 'Silver')
Credit: Mountain Crest Gardens

Honey bush (Melianthus major)

Melianthus major, also dubbed the peanut butter plant for its sweet-scented foliage, really makes a statement. With long, blue-gray leaves and striking dark maroon flowers that shoot up to 2 feet, it’s a showstopper. In warmer climates, it grows as a lush shrub, and in cooler areas, it stands out as an annual.

The honey bush prefers full sun to partial shade and moist, well-draining soil, growing 6-12 feet tall and 8-10 feet wide. Just like the eucalyptus, it’s important to note that the honey bush can be toxic to both humans and pets and emits a unique fragrance when bruised, often compared to peanut butter.

Honey bush (Melianthus major)
Credit: Jeremy Bartlett’s Let It Grow blog

Silver sage (Salvia argentea)

Picture this—big, lush leaves that look like they’ve been dusted with snow, glistening under the sun. This plant is usually a biennial, but if it’s really thriving, it might stick around as a short-lived perennial. People often pop it into containers as an annual because it’s just that stunning. It loves full sun and does best in dry to medium, well-draining soil.

Silver sage grows to about 12 inches tall and can spread out to 18 inches wide. It’s a champ in zones 5 through 8. Just a heads up—it self-seeds, spreading its charm around your garden unless you cut back the flowers after their summer show.

Silver sage (Salvia argentea)
Credit: Fine Gardening

Silver thyme (Thymus vulgaris ‘Argenteus’)

This little herb is tough as nails, shrugging off drought and deer with ease. It’s perfect for adding a dash of color to rock gardens, containers, or using as a pretty groundcover. And yes, it’s edible! The variegated green and gray leaves not only look good—they smell great too, giving off a lemony scent when brushed against.

Expect it to bloom with small, pink flowers in midsummer that are a hit with bees. Silver thyme grows about a foot tall and wide and is happy in zones 5 to 10. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil.

Silver thyme (Thymus vulgaris 'Argenteus')
Credit: PlantMaster

‘Moonshine’ snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata ‘Moonshine’)

It’s a real standout with its silvery-green leaves that start off almost metallic silver and gradually turn light green as they mature. This variety is more suited to warmer climates (zones 10 to 12), but no worries if you’re in a cooler area—you can easily grow it indoors and then bring it outside when the nighttime temps stay above 50℉.

'Moonshine' snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata 'Moonshine')
Credit: Planet Desert

Artemisia absinthium

Artemisia absinthium thrives in full sun and poor, well-drained soil, making it an ideal pick for gardens that don’t get much water. It’s quite resilient, doing well in USDA zones 4 to 9.

When paired with robust allium flowers, like blooming leeks, Artemisia’s intricate silver leaves and the allium’s lilac blooms really pop. Artemisia, known for its feathery texture and the way its finely cut leaves play with light and shadow, tops the list of silver-leaf plants.

Artemisia absinthium
Credit: Balkan Ecology Project

Cotyledon undulata

Cotyledon orbiculata var. oblonga forms a striking backdrop for the frothy blooms of gaura. The succulent’s thick, finger-like leaves set a solid visual base for gaura’s delicate stems. Cotyledons are not only eye-catching with their silvery, apricot-flowered spikes in late spring but are also incredibly drought-resistant, flourishing in USDA zones 9 to 11.

Cotyledon undulata
Credit: eSucculent

Cleveland sage (Salvia clevelandii) 

Salvia clevelandii, or Cleveland sage, is a star in the realm of gray foliage. Native to southern California, this salvia variety is now widely available thanks to numerous hybrids. Throughout the summer, its aromatic gray leaves are crowned with vibrant lavender-blue tubular flowers that attract both pollinators and hummingbirds.

It’s drought-tolerant, prefers not to be overwatered, and can spread three to five feet wide. Regular pruning promotes fresh growth, replacing older stems. This plant is suitable for USDA zones 8 to 10.

Cleveland sage (Salvia clevelandii) 
Credit: Rancho Los Cerritos

Society Garlic (Tulbaghia violacea ‘Silver Lace’)

Society Garlic (Tulbaghia violacea ‘Silver Lace’) offers more than just visual appeal; its leaves are edible and have a strong garlic flavor. It performs well in shade, where it produces lush foliage and fewer flowers, making it an excellent ground cover.

In full sun, it shoots up slender stalks of edible lilac flowers in the early and late summer. Society garlic is hardy in USDA zones 7 to 10, adding both beauty and taste to your garden spaces.

Society Garlic (Tulbaghia violacea 'Silver Lace')
Credit: PlantMaster

Find out Should You Let Garlic Flower? Pros & Cons Explained

Rockrose

Beloved for their rose-like blooms that open during the day, the various species and hybrids of Cistus thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. These plants are perfect for dry, sunny gardens and can also withstand the salty breezes of coastal areas. Their silvery-green leaves enhance the delicate crèpe-like texture of their flowers, making them a stunning addition.

Rockrose
Credit: The Spruce

Silver Spurflower

The Silver Spurflower, or Plectranthus argentatus, is ideal for gardens that get a mix of sun and shade. In colder climates, it grows as an annual, but in milder areas, it can be cultivated as a perennial.

This Australian native features broad, velvety leaves and pairs beautifully with white and green plants to create a soothing color scheme. It’s winter-hardy in zones 9 to 11.

Silver Spurflower
Credit: Gympie Landcare

Cobweb Spiderwort

Tradescantia sillamontana, commonly known as the cobweb spiderwort, is a fascinating choice for shady spots.

This semi-succulent, drought-resistant plant hails from northern Mexico and serves as an excellent ground cover for dry, shaded areas under trees. It prefers good drainage and can grow taller and more elegantly in partial to high shade, hardy from zones 8 to 11.

Cobweb Spiderwort
Credit: North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Globe Artichoke

Globe Artichoke – Closely related to the wild cardoon, the globe artichoke (C. cardunculus scolymus) sports dramatically toothed, chalky leaves. Not only is it reminiscent of its cousin in appearance, but after the foliage peaks, it also produces striking amethyst flowers that extend its visual appeal well into the season.

Globe Artichoke
Credit: RHS

Read The Guide to Growing Artichokes in Any Climate

Blue Spruce (Picea pungens var. glauca)

This rugged, drought-resistant tree sports short, silvery needles all year round. Over the years, plant breeders have developed various forms of this tree, including compact versions and even groundcovers. It thrives in full sun, acidic, well-drained soil, and can reach heights of up to 60 feet and widths of 20 feet, thriving best in zones 2 through 7.

Blue Spruce (Picea pungens var. glauca)
Credit: North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Coral Bells (Heuchera spp.)

Varieties like ‘Pewter Veil’ offer eye-catching silvery leaves with purple-gray veins and pinkish undersides. These plants are incredibly easy to care for, whether in the ground or in pots, preferring partial sun or shade and humus-rich, well-draining soil. They grow up to 3 feet tall and about 30 inches wide, suitable for zones 3 to 9.

Coral Bells (Heuchera spp.)
Credit: Garden Design

‘Fire Witch’ Dianthus

This charming groundcover features bright pink, fragrant flowers in early spring and silvery-blue foliage that remains striking throughout the seasons. After blooming, snipping off old flowers encourages more blooms later in the year. It does best in full sun and well-drained soil, reaching up to 6 inches in height and 12 inches across, and is ideal for zones 3 to 8.

'Fire Witch' Dianthus
Credit: Gardening Know How

‘Purple Dragon’ Lamium

‘Purple Dragon’ Lamium is a fantastic choice for a groundcover. It showcases lovely heart-shaped, silver-overlaid leaves and clusters of red-purple flowers all summer long. While it loves to spread, it’s not considered invasive. It flourishes in part to full shade and moist, well-drained soil, growing up to 8 inches tall and 3 feet wide, perfect for zones 3 to 8.

'Purple Dragon' Lamium
Credit: American Meadows

Lungwort (Pulmonaria spp.)

This low-maintenance perennial is a real winner for those seeking a plant that’s not only beautiful but also resilient against deer and rabbits. In early spring, it bursts into life with blue, pink, or white flowers, set against dark green leaves adorned with silver markings.

While older varieties might just have silver spots, modern cultivars like ‘Silver Shimmers’, ‘Majeste’, and ‘Silver Bouquet’ showcase more vivid silver foliage.

Lungwort thrives in moist, well-drained soil and can grow up to 1 foot tall and 2 feet wide in hardiness zones 3–8. For an extra splash of silver, check out varieties like ‘Majesté’ or ‘Silver Bouquet’, whose leaves dazzle with almost complete silver coverage after blooming.

Lungwort (Pulmonaria spp.)
Credit: PlantMaster

Dusty miller (Senecio cineraria)

This plant pairs wonderfully with vibrant flowers like red geraniums and can grow up to 18 inches tall and 12 inches wide in zones 7–10. Its soft, fuzzy leaves provide a stunning contrast against smoother, dark-colored plants, making any garden pop with visual interest.

Although often grown as an annual, dusty miller can survive for several years under the right conditions and even overwinter in milder climates or with adequate snow cover. It prefers full sun to part shade and needs well-drained soil to thrive.

Dusty miller (Senecio cineraria)
Credit: Gardening Know How

‘Jack Frost’ brunnera (Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’)

Don’t overlook ‘Jack Frost’ brunnera (Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’), a charming addition that’s earned the title of Perennial Plant of the Year for 2024. This plant is perfect for those looking for durability and striking visuals.

In spring, it displays tiny blue flowers and small, silvery leaves. As the season progresses, its larger, heart-shaped silver leaves with narrow green veins take center stage, brightening up shady areas of the garden. ‘Jack Frost’ thrives in partial shade and rich, moist soil, reaching up to 18 inches in both height and width, in zones 3–8.

'Jack Frost' brunnera (Brunnera macrophylla 'Jack Frost')
Credit: Gardeners’ World

Pearly Everlasting (Anaphalis margaritacea)

This charming perennial, native to Asia and North America, features slender silvery leaves and clusters of tiny white flowers that are perfect for drying—hence the name “everlasting.” The flowers enhance its silvery appeal, making it a standout addition to any garden.

It thrives in sun or partial shade and adapts to various soil types, even poor, dry ones. While it may self-sow a bit, it’s easy to manage. Plus, it’s a favorite for butterflies, providing nectar for adults and serving as a host plant for painted lady caterpillars.

  • Height: 1–3 ft (30–60 cm)
  • Spread: 1–2 ft (30–60 cm)
  • Hardiness Zones: 4–9
Pearly Everlasting (Anaphalis margaritacea)
Credit: Xerces Society

Silver Wormwood (Artemisia ludoviciana)

This versatile silver groundcover comes in several varieties, showcasing either simple or intricately cut leaves. While its flowers are unimpressive, its stunning foliage steals the show.

Silver Wormwood thrives in full sun and tolerates dry to moderately moist soils of any quality. It’s also deer and rabbit resistant, which is a bonus for wildlife-heavy areas. However, it tends to spread, so you may need to keep it in check.

  • Height: 2–3 ft (60–90 cm)
  • Spread: Indefinite
  • Hardiness Zones: 4–9
Silver Wormwood (Artemisia ludoviciana)
Credit: Plant Material

Maui Wormwood (Artemisia mauiensis)

This gorgeous shrub from Hawaii is a showstopper with its deeply cut, feathery silver leaves and mounding growth habit. Although its greenish-yellow flowers are insignificant, its foliage makes a bold statement.

In cooler climates, Maui Wormwood can be grown as an annual or brought indoors as an elegant houseplant during winter. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil and is also drought-tolerant.

  • Height: 2 ft (60 cm)
  • Spread: 3 ft (90 cm)
  • Hardiness Zones: 9–11 (or annual in cooler zones)
Maui Wormwood (Artemisia mauiensis)
Credit: Native Sons Wholesale Nursery

Silver Nickel Vine (Dichondra argentea ‘Silver Falls’)

This eye-catching tropical groundcover is perfect for spilling out of containers with its cascading stems adorned with small, shiny, silver coin-shaped leaves. Though its flowers are tiny and often overlooked, the foliage is a real show-stopper.

Thriving in full sun and well-drained soil, it’s drought-tolerant and can be brought indoors over winter in cooler regions. It typically reaches a height of 2 inches and spreads out 3 to 4 feet.

Silver Nickel Vine (Dichondra argentea ‘Silver Falls’)
Credit: The Magic Garden

Texas Sage (Leucophyllum frutescens)

Ideal for dry, mild environments or as a potted plant, this hardy shrub has a loose, upright growth that can be pruned for density. Its silvery-gray leaves stay mostly evergreen, complemented by charming purplish pink blooms that pop up mainly after rain in late summer and fall—hence its nickname, barometer bush.

It loves the sun, needs good drainage, and is fine with minimal watering, even enduring long dry spells. It grows between 5 to 8 feet tall and spreads 4 to 6 feet.

Texas Sage (Leucophyllum frutescens)
Credit: Southern Living

Iceberg Alley® Sageleaf Willow (Salix candida ‘Jefberg’)

Uncommonly small and silver for a willow, this shrub forms a dense, rounded mound of foliage that looks great all summer. Come spring, it sports silver catkins with red stamens, perfect for decorative use.

It’s a sun-loving plant that adapts well to most soils and thrives best in colder climates. It generally grows up to 5 feet in height and width, though it can be pruned to stay smaller.

Iceberg Alley® Sageleaf Willow (Salix candida ‘Jefberg’)
Credit: Wasco Nursery & Garden Center

Angel Wings Senecio (Senecio candicans ‘Senaw’)

This might just be the most dazzlingly silver plant you’ll encounter. It features large, brilliantly silver, spoon-shaped leaves with soft, silky tops, growing from short, thick stems. While it occasionally blooms yellow flowers in summer, the foliage is the star here.

It’s perfect for sunny spots in well-drained soil and is both drought-resistant and salt-tolerant. Typically sold as an annual in cooler climates, it can also be kept indoors over winter as long as it’s cool and not too wet, reaching heights and spreads of 10 to 16 inches.

Angel Wings Senecio (Senecio candicans ‘Senaw’)
Credit: Gardeners’ World

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source https://harvestsavvy.com/silver-gray-foliage-plants/

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