Spotlight on silver

Silver-leaved plants are sought by many a gardener and for a variety of uses, but there’s no escaping the sense of wonder they can bring to our daylight or evening gardens. Silver tones both soothe and complement or glisten and contrast. They blend in wit

CATCH THE EYE

Silver arrives in many shades and sizes, from the eye-catching Centaurea gymnocarpa, which fills out to an impressive 4-by-4- foot shrub, down to the carpeting charms of Cerastium candidissimum (Snow-insummer). The former looks for all the world like a Dusty Miller that got carried away, and it makes an excellent focal point in the garden. Easy to grow and drought tolerant, this longlived perennial is all gleaming silver. Its fuzzy pink flowers are almost an afterthought, although they do sparkle against the glowing backdrop.

SAGE ADVICE

There are several notable silver sages, but one of my favorites is Salvia argentea. It forms a formidable rosette of scalloped silvery leaves to 3 feet across. The leaves are adorned with a whitish fuzz, adding another level of interest to this plant. In late summer, plants bear tall spikes of white flowers, attracting both hummingbirds and bees. Make sure to place this dramatic accent plant where everyone can enjoy it.

LAVENDER

Lavenders are always an excellent choice for a drought-tolerant garden and Lavandula ‘Goodwin Creek’ offers perhaps the most silvery-gray foliage. It tops out at a modest 2 feet so you can tuck it in among other perennials or create a stand of it among grasses or succulents. Bees adore lavenders and there’s that intoxicating fragrance.

SUCCULENTS

Speaking of succulents, which are all the rage these days, there are an assortment to choose from. Start with California native Dudleyas (‘Chalk Liveforever’). I especially like D. pulverulenta, one of the most silvery selections from this genus. It forms a low 2foot rosette, followed by coral flowers in summer. This succulent also looks good in a tall container, where its reflective leaves almost resemble a pool in the moonlight. Want to create a riverbed that flowers? Cotyledon orbiculata offers glistening silver foliage that gradually multiplies to form a dense colony. A friend has used this plant to suggest a dry riverbed, the silvery-gray tones evoking a cool stream. Lovely! Versatile and very drought tolerant, this hardy succulent has many uses.

GROUND COVER

Another sturdy California native ground cover is the exceptionally pretty Eriogonum crocatum (’Saffron Buckwheat’). Low and spreading, it makes a perfect silvery carpet underneath taller plants. In early summer it produces vivid yellow fuzzy flowers that are adored by a variety of pollinators.

CASCADE

Need your silver to cascade? Try Dichondra ‘Silver Falls.’ This sun lover equally reflects the sun or moon and creates the most breathtaking silvery waterfall once established.