In the garden, there are many brightly coloured flowers and different options of foliage plants that I love. But add some enchanting charm to your planting schemes with these top picks of plants with silver foliage.
1. Lychnis coronaria (rose campion)
Firstly, the silvery grey felted leaves of this short lived perennial are complemented by vibrant pink flowers through summer. The silver foliage lends itself to coastal gardens, whilst the bright blooms have a cottage style feel to them. Furthermore, it’s a very relaxed looking plant, making it perfect for informal gardens.
- Flowers in summer
- Fully hardy
- Grows up to 1m tall
- Well-drained soil
- Full sun or partial shade
- Exposed or sheltered
Top Tip
Interestingly, rose campion seeds require a period of cold to be able to germinate, which is a process called ‘stratification’.
2. Eryngium giganteum (tall eryngo) ‘Silver Ghost’
Next is a biennial that’s bound to bring texture to the planting scheme. The cone-like flowerheads are above spiked, silvery bracts that look fascinating from any angle. Additionally, the flowers are popular with pollinators, making it a great wildlife addition.
- Flowers in summer
- Fully hardy
- Grows up to 1m tall
- Well-drained soil
- Full sun
- Exposed
Fun Fact
This variety of Eryngium giganteum is a new variety of one called ‘Miss Willmott’s Ghost’, which has an interesting name origin. To clarify, it was named after Miss Willmott, a horticulturalist active in the RHS in the late Victorian/Edwardian period.
3. Senecio cineraria (silver ragwort) ‘Cirrus’
This is a lovely evergreen shrub that has silver felt-like leaves that are a great pairing for many coloured flowers. Also, in summer, you may be surprised by clusters of yellow flowers. What’s more, they are a good choice for planters on a patio and are also drought tolerant once established.
- Flowers in summer
- Hardy through most areas of the UK
- Grows up to 50cm tall
- Well-drained soil
- Full sun
- Exposed or sheltered
Fun Fact
The reason that this plant has it’s silver hue, is because the foliage is covered in a silvery grey fleece. And because of this, the leaves have an ethereal appearance, like they have been sprinkled with icing sugar.
4. Helichrysum italicum (curry plant)
As its name suggests, this evergreen shrub has curry scented leaves that will bring another dimension to your silver planting scheme. Not only does it have interesting foliage, but the yellow flowers brightly sit in domed clusters. Notably, this plant is suited to Mediterranean gardens, coastal gardens, gravel gardens and prairie planting. I think it is an extremely versatile plant.
- Flowers in summer
- Hardy through most areas of the UK
- Grows up to 40cm tall
- Well-drained soil
- Full sun
- Sheltered
Fun Fact
Helichrysum was historically revered as a powerful aphrodisiac! Additionally, it is thought to have medical properties with aiding the formation of scar tissue.
5. Caryopteris clandonensis (bluebeard) ‘Sterling Silver’
The flowers of this bluebeard are deep purple and are a magnet for bees. Not only can you enjoy the flowers, which I think are beautiful, but the silvery foliage of this variety is aromatic. Overall, making it a great all-rounder for the garden.
- Flowers in summer and autumn
- Hardy through most areas of the UK
- Grows up to 60cm tall
- Well-drained soil
- Full sun
- Sheltered
Top Tip
The blooms of this plant are very attractive to pollinators, which makes them a great addition to your garden. In particular, they are enjoyed by bees, along with other pollinators.
6. Helichrysum petiolare (everlasting flower) ‘Goring Silver’
Another foliage plant that will put on a show with its shining stems and leaves is ‘Goring Silver’. It’s a trailing perennial, making it fantastic for adding cascading texture to containers like hanging baskets. Moreover, I believe that they look wonderful in coastal gardens and gravel gardens too.
- Flowers in summer
- Hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK
- Grows up to 10cm tall
- Moist but well-drained or well-drained soil
- Full sun
- Sheltered
Top Tip
This plant does produce flowers in the summer. However, they are insignificant, and so I suggest that you remove them once they appear.
7. Brunnera macrophylla (Siberian bugloss) ‘Jack Frost’
This list wouldn’t be complete without mentioning this perennial which is recognised by the silver, heart-shaped leaves. The leaves with green veins are the stars of the show, however there are small blue flowers that bloom in spring.
- Flowers in spring
- Fully hardy
- Grows up to 40cm tall
- Moist but well-drained soil
- Full shade or partial shade
- Sheltered
Fun Fact
An alternative name for this particular plant is ‘Heartleaf Brunnera’, or ‘False Forget-Me-Not’. This is as a result of its strikingly similar blue flowers.
8. Cynara cardunculus (cardoon)
The pinnate spiny leaves of this perennial are silvery-grey with an almost shiny quality to them. Competing with the foliage to be star of the show are thistle-like, spherical flowers that attract pollinators. Above all, they are well-suited for wildlife gardens and architectural gardens. Furthermore, they can also be used as cut flowers to bring their beauty indoors, which I think make a wonderful display.
- Flowers in summer
- Hardy
- Grows up to 2.5m tall
- Well-drained
- Full sun
- Sheltered
Top Tip
Whilst the flowers of this plant are striking, you can grow this as purely a foliage plant. And you can do this by cutting down flower stems in the summer.
9. Santolina chamaecyparissus (cotton lavender)
Next is a dwarf evergreen that will add structure to your garden all year round with the silver, woolly foliage. The fragrant foliage is topped with cheery yellow button-like flowers during summer. I suggest that it is important to keep the shrub growing densely and compact by trimming back once flowering is done.
- Flowers in summer
- Hardy
- Grows up to 50cm tall
- Moist but well-drained or well-drained soil
- Full sun
- Sheltered
Fun Fact
Despite what its name suggests, this plant has no relation to neither cotton nor lavender! However, I find that it has lovely aromatic foliage when crushed.
10. Cerastium tomentosum (snow-in-summer)
Lastly is a pick that’s perfect for ground cover, especially on banks and slopes due to its mat-forming growing habit. I believe that it has a truly wonderful and brightening effect in the garden. Then, the white hairy leaves are joined by white flowers in spring and summer.
- Flowers in spring and summer
- Fully hardy
- Grows up to 50cm tall
- Well-drained soil
- Full sun
- Exposed or sheltered
Top Tip
I suggest that you make use of this plant for ground cover. Due to its mat foliage, I find that it works well in gravel or rock gardens. Additionally, it’s drought tolerance makes it ideal for these types of gardens.
These top plants with silver foliage are bound to add some magic to your space, and are some of my favourites. So, whether you want low-growing and trailing foliage or plants that are joined by vibrant flowers, there are plenty to choose from.
Find out more about adding texture to your garden:
Or check out my Pinterest board for more ideas:
David Domoney is a Chartered Horticulturalist, Broadcaster, and Author. David has worked with a number of the UK’s leading garden retailers as a plant buyer and strategic consultant. With more than 30 years experience, in horticulture, David is as passionate about plants now as he was when he bought his first plant at a village fete.
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