The leaves of these plants still contain chlorophyll, with most of the silver coming from structural colour, which increases reflection. Tiny hairs called trichomes or waxy coatings also reduce transpiration, helping to keep the leaves cool.
Utilising this evolutionary success and planting silver-leaved plants in areas of the garden that are prone to drought and receive direct sunlight for most of the day creates a functional design.
For a silver-leaved shrub that is suited to a sunny mixed border, look no further than Atriplex halimus. Typically growing 2-3m in height and spread, it can be lightly trimmed for neatness and tolerates windy, coastal sites. The leaves are a perfect foil for cottage garden shots of pinks like Gladiolus communis subsp. Byzantinus or Salvia ‘Wendy’s Wish’.
Melianthus major (or, more sweetly, ‘Honey Bush’) boasts spectacular, almost exotic, grey-green leaves late in spring. Benefitting from a dry mulch over winter, it can reach a height of 3m in a sheltered position. It exudes a scent reminiscent of peanut butter and flowers from May to July.
For the king of all silver thistles, nothing beats the statuesque drama of Onopordum acanthium. If you don’t have room for this particular thistle, you can choose from an array of silver Eryngiums, including Eryngium giganteum ‘Miss Wilmott’s Ghost‘. All varieties provide winter interest whilst mixing well with grasses and looking great in gravel gardens.
Leaving some of the drama behind, Artemesia ludoviciana ‘Valerie Finnis’ is a favourite for its startling white shoots that appear through the soil in March and April. This variety is a smaller plant and has broader leaves than the equally lovely Artemesia ludoviciana ‘Silver Queen’. These plants can bring peace and gentleness to a planting scheme.
Perovskia atriplicifolia benefits from spires of lavender-blue flowers in late summer, which are popular with bees. ‘Blue Spire’ will grow to 1.2m tall and should be cut back to a framework each spring. One of the later emerging plants in spring, it’s well worth the wait! For a smaller alternative, ‘Little Spire’ reaches half the size. Perovskia superficially resembles Lavender, and is useful as a filler plant, separating stronger colours or combining with grasses. Position near a path to take full advantage of its scent.
We can’t talk about silver plants without mentioning Stachys byzantina. One of the most well-loved plants, it is very, very silver. It is low growing, soft and drought-tolerant, making it perfect for the edge of borders. Pink flowers, atop flower stems that reach up to 40cm, are particularly attractive to bees.
All of these plants are not only perfectly adapted to hot and sunny places, but elegantly provide a soothing and neutral link between other colours within the garden. As the evening light fades, they become almost luminescent – the perfect ending to a summer’s day!
