Cobweb spiderwortWhile it might not be the first color choice most customers would pick, adding silvery gray colored plants to a landscape can create a soothing and elegant atmosphere.
Depending on the particular shade of each plant, silvery gray plants can oftentimes also be worked into the background of existing plants to complement them and bring them out better than if they were planted on their own. If your customers are looking for a little something extra to brighten up their garden or add a more unique look to the mix, take a look at a few silvery gray plant options they are sure to go wild for.
Cotyledon (Cotyledon orbiculata var. oblonga)
Showing off their long, gray, finger-like leaves with bell-shaped, apricot-colored flowers on their 18-inch-tall stems, these little beauties will come to life in the late spring. This plant can spread out and act as a low shrub or a groundcover. If customers choose the succulent cotyledon species, they will have both rounded and elongated leaves, and they will be very drought tolerant for customers in drier areas. Cotyledons should be planted in full sun to light shade in soil that is well-drained. They thrive in USDA hardiness zones 9-11.
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Society garlic (Tulbaghia violacea ‘Silver Lace’)
Along with showing off its silvery slender, long tendrils when flourishing in the landscape, society garlic can also be used in the kitchen for a pungent garlic flavor. When planted in the shade, these plants have a tendency to produce fewer flowers but more of their attractive foliage, which makes them ideal for use as a groundcover. When planted in full sunlight, beautiful stalks of edible lilac flowers will appear in the early and late summer. These plants thrive in USDA hardiness zones 7-10.
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SageSage (Salvia officinalis)
Sage can prove especially handy when dealing with customers who might have smaller garden spaces to work with, as this eye-catching, edible plant can also double as an ornamental option because of how attractive its flowers and leaves are. Sage is native to more Mediterranean areas and can be used freshly plucked from the garden or after being dried as an herb for cooking. Sage can typically grow to be 2 feet tall, and their flowers can attract a variety of pollinators. If planted in USDA hardiness zones 5-8, sage will grow as a hardy perennial, but if it’s planted in zones 9 and farther south, it will usually grow as an annual.
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Rockrose (Cistus spp.)
Most types of rockroses will share the same bright-colored, day-blooming flowers, which will resemble small roses. These plants do require full sunlight and excellent drainage, and for customers who might live in dry climates or near salty beach winds, they are a perfect gardening choice. Because of the silvery-green coloring of their leaves, the crepe-like texture of their blooms can easily be shown off. Once they are established, they will need watering occasionally, and if they are grown in containers or are in high-heat areas, they will require watering more often. They will bloom in late spring into summer, and they typically reach about 4 feet tall and 6 feet wide. They thrive in USDA hardiness zones 8-11.
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Cobweb spiderwort (Tradescantia sillamontana)
Along with adding in the silvery gray coloring, cobweb spiderwort also adds an element of texture and a beautiful focal point in the landscape. This semi-succulent is drought tolerant and can serve as an ideal groundcover for dryer areas beneath trees. These plants can grow in full sun, but if it’s allowed to have semi-shade or high shade, it will grow taller and more graceful. These plants will also require soil that can drain well, and they thrive in USDA hardiness zones 8-11.
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Globe artichokeGlobe artichoke (Cynara scolymus)
These large perennials are typically grown for their larger, edible flowers, but they also add a unique and ornamental eye-catcher to the yard. As long as the soil in the area is well-drained and fairly fertile, these plants shouldn’t have a hard time growing, and they enjoy full sun to partial shade. Their fruits will typically grow 2 to 5 inches, and they can reach heights of 3 to 4 feet tall and 4 feet wide. If the plant goes uncut, they will eventually produce buds that will open to purple thistle-like flowers. In climates where winter proves mild, such as USDA hardiness zones 8 and 9, these plants are perennials. They can be cut in late summer before the fruits open.
