By Ariyah Chambers April, NC State Extension Master GardenerSM volunteer of Durham County
If you’ve ever nurtured a home garden, I bet you’ve gazed into it for long stretches at a time, lost in its floating colors and shapes. You’ve wondered, “what can I add here?” and, “what can I delete there?” I sure have. Because–whatever the state of my outdoor space–there’s always more to do. That’s the nature of the garden, right? To grow.
Considering the verdant tapestry that is my landscape, I often wonder: what would happen if I tweaked the color?
Enter silver-hued foliage, a luminary addition to the Southern landscape. Whether adorning garden beds as an accent piece, or woven into a larger design narrative, silvery plants ignite visual intrigue and contrast. Silver enriches the allure of a green space. And here’s the marvel: silvery foliage often reflects sunlight. Reflectivity can help reduce water loss through transpiration, making these plants more heat- and drought-tolerant. With a scorcher of a summer on the horizon here in North Carolina, this plant characteristic proves a major plus.
Deciding Where You “Need” Silver
- Squint your eyes at your garden to blur the details.
- Consider your garden’s overall composition.
- Where are there dark spots? A bright splash of silver could work well there. Silver stands out against darker backgrounds.
You can also try a “black and white” test:
- Snap a pic of the green space in question with your phone.
- Convert the pic to black and white; doing so helps simplify the composition, making it easier to identify contrasts, balance, and focal points.
- This technique highlights where silvery plants can be strategically placed for maximum aesthetic impact, considering factors like texture, light, and shadow.
Here are a few more design tips to help guide decision-making:
Consider Light Conditions
While partial shade areas provide an excellent contrast, sunny spots can create a shimmering effect against silvery foliage–so consider both dark and bright areas in your garden. Whatever the location, sunny or shady, select the appropriate plant for that specific spot.
Vary Texture, Form & Height.
Mix plants with different leaf shapes and textures for a dynamic composition. Vary plant heights to create depth and dimension.
Honor Water Requirements
Group plants with similar water needs for simplified maintenance.
Attract Pollinators
By following a few sensible guidelines, you’ll create a visually appealing and ecologically balanced garden with silver-hued plants.
A Few Silvery Native Plant Suggestions
The brush strokes of native plants wield profound benefits upon the canvas of garden design. Native plants need less maintenance and fewer resources; support local wildlife; and fit seamlessly into our ecosystem, of course, because they belong there.
Consider a few native plants that can enhance your landscape through their bright leaves, stems, or inflorescence (flower clusters).
(Left to right) Wooly lipfern (Hemionitis bradburyi) thrives in part sun to dappled shade here in the Piedmont. It’s a deer-and-drought-resistant evergreen fern. (Image credit: NC Extension Toolbox, Megan Hansen CC-BY-SA 2.0); Hoary mountain mint (Pycnanthemum incanum) self-seeds but is unlikely to overtake your yard. Its flowers are popular with pollinators. (Image credit: NC Extension Toolbox, S.B._Johnny CC BY-SA 3.0); Horsemint or purple bergamont (Monarda media) is a fragrant perennial like hoary mountain mint and is similarly prized by bees and hummingbirds. Its silver-green leaves sparkle against its gold or purple flowers. (Image credit: NC Extension Toolbox, Johnpand CC BY-NC 4.0)
Some Non-Native Silver-Hued Plants
Non-native plant selections can be the right choice for your garden needs. Be mindful about controlling their spread, of course, and avoid planting anything invasive unless it’s in a container. Sorry for the call-out, lamb’s ear (Stachys byzantina)! Here are several options that can inject silver into your scheme:
(Left to right) Dusty Miller (Jacobaea maritima) is often an annual in the Piedmont due to its frost sensitivity. In my green space, though, Dusty Miller stays strong year-round, shimmering in the sun. (Image credit: Senecio Manuel CC-BY-SA 2.0); Wormwood (Artemisia ‘Powis Castle’) is a perennial herb that thrives in full sun, making it a worthwhile choice for well-maintained areas. When a breeze blows through its wispy silver form, wormwood is downright dreamy (Image credit: NC Extension Tool Box, Cob Lands CC-BY-SA 2.0); Silver sage (Salvia argentia) prefers cooler temperatures, but can thrive in North Carolina with proper care. Perfect for borders or containers. Striking at night, when white stands out the most. (Image credit: Emillo CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
Plant Combinations for Vibrant Color (Or No Color At All)
Ready for some colorful companion plants that go great with silver? Remember the considerations we covered above–factors like plant height, texture, water and light requirements–and you’ll invent harmonious plant combos that thrive in your sunny (or not so sunny) spot together.
Here are just three native plants that make vibrant bedfellows for your silver-colored plants:
(Left to right) Butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) boasts vibrant orange flowers vital to butterflies. Its colorful blooms stand out against the silver of neighboring plants. (Image credit: NC Extension Toolbox, Mary Keim CC BY-NC=SA 20CC BY-NC-SA 2.0); Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) is in the same Asteraceae family as Echinacea, but with a black cone in the center of the flower, it adds a distinctive pop to sunny garden beds. (Image credit: NC Extension Tool Box, Debbie Roos); Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) produces bright flowers and green leaves that are particularly striking against silver. It’s a drought-tolerant perennial that woos pollinators. (Image credit: NC Extension Tool Box, Hope Duckworth, CC BY 4.0)
But… what if a rainbow of color doesn’t fit your garden, you ask? Maybe you’re creating a monochromatic palette instead. Have no fear. Silvery plants can perfect your scheme. They pair beautifully with ornamental grasses, building a blue-gray-green design in any light level. Incorporating silver into a rock garden can be stunning; the textural differences are allowed to shine. Silverish tones within low-lying ground cover reflect light, allowing us to walk along a nighttime path with more confidence. Monochromatic palettes lend well to nighttime landscape viewing, which leads us to….
Making Moon Garden Magic with Silvery Plants
“Moon gardens” often feature plants with white or silver foliage; flowers that bloom at night; and fragrant selections that are more alluring after dark. We’ve covered a selection of silvery specimens in this article. Given low light, which ones would twinkle like a star in your yard? You might consider these factors:
Wildlife Haven
Your outdoor space can be a magical place for everyone to enjoy after the sun sets. Hummingbirds, moths, and even bats might stop in for a visit.
Focal Points
Silver-colored plants can serve as accents within moon gardens, drawing the eye and adding structure to the landscape in low light conditions. They can be strategically placed along pathways, near seating areas, or in containers.
Reflective Surfaces
Mirroring your silvery plants, design elements like white gravel paths, tree ornaments, and water features can reflect moonlight, amplifying your garden’s luminosity and creating a shimmering effect. Time for an evening garden party, wouldn’t you say?
Conclusion
When you paint your garden with silver, you’re not just adding aesthetic appeal; you’re fostering a harmonious ecosystem that benefits your yard and local wildlife. Consider both native and non-native options, each offering unique characteristics and benefits. And don’t forget about daytime and nighttime companions. Whether you’re creating a monochromatic masterpiece or a vibrant tapestry of colors, silvery plants offer a simple elegance. I hope they enrich your landscape–and your life–for years to come.
Resources and Additional Information
Want more plant suggestions? The North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox is always here for you! Use the FIND A PLANT tool to search for plants with gray/silver leaves or flowers.
Do you know these 23 silver plants that will let your garden shine? Check them out here:
https://www.bhg.com/gardening/design/color/silver-leaf-plants-garden-ideas/
The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Office offers several suggestions for plants that are silver or gray. https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/article/2002/7-26-2002/silverperennials.html
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