On a recent garden tour, I was particularly charmed by the artful use of silvery tones in flower gardens.
I often pass over those greyish plants in favour of flashier flowers. Far from being bland, however, silvery foliage lends dramatic contrast, even mystery. And while flowers have their glorious blooming periods lasting several weeks or months, many plants with silver foliage shine on throughout the season, or even year-round.
Silver is not really a colour, but is considered a tone. It is technically a mix of mostly white with a hint of black. But that definition underplays the many variations of silver that occur in nature. Some are more greenish, some more blue, some leaning to white. Silvery-toned plants offer a neutral backdrop for colourful spring and summer plantings. They reflect light and brighten up a bland corner. The leaves of silvery plants often sport unique and eye-catching shapes and textures. Some are thick. Some are fuzzy. Others are spiky, mounded, feathery, even hairy. The choices are many. Those with fuzz or hairs reflect even more light. They also capture and hold water droplets, which not only help to hydrate the plant but also sparkle like jewels in a beam of sunlight. Many gray and silver-leaved plants originated in desert environments, so they are naturally drought tolerant. The light-reflecting quality of the leaves can prevent the plants from overheating. Generally speaking, those with thick, fuzzy, or spiky foliage are drought tolerant and suitable for dryer, hot locations. Taller plants include spiky Cardoon artichoke, yucca, sea holly, Russian sage, and rose campion. Ground covers such as woolly thyme, snow-in-summer, and eye-catching Sedum sieboldii can fill in bare spots and even withstand light foot traffic.
Silver decorates shade plants as well, many with intriguing leaf shapes. Japanese red fern’s jagged fronds are tinged with red. Many Hosta varieties sport a silver sheen, as do Heuchera (coral bells) and Brunnera ‘Sterling Silver’.
Silver tones can be added to your landscape in a number of ways. Tree trunks such as lilac, dogwood, cascara, and magnolia offer textured, grayish bark. The vertical lines of trunks also deliver a pleasing contrast to curvy-shaped flowers. Rocks are another source of silver and gray tones and are naturally beautiful in their own right. Fences, furniture, and water features can all lend grayish tones along with contrasts in shape and line.
Plant your silvery accents where they will blend with your other perennials and annuals. They enhance any colour palette, but yellow, purple, pink and white really pop against a silver backdrop. Consider planting in groupings for more impact. A single mound of blue fescue is fine, but multiples create a delightful pom-pom effect. Plant drifts of graceful lavender stems to wave in the breeze along a path or driveway. Or plan an understated monochromatic bed featuring multiple shades of grays, silvers, and white.
And don’t forget to add some silvery accents to hanging baskets and pots. One of my favourites is shimmering nickel vine (Dichondra argentea 'Silver Falls'), which cascades over pots, baskets, or rock walls. It is not hardy, but I was able to over-winter last season’s plants in my garage this winter.
On a moonlit night, silvery plants transform a garden into a fairy landscape. Reflective plants can be situated to brighten up pathways, draw the eye towards dramatically lit trees, or simply offer a glowing tableau of textures and shapes. A few highly reflective oyster shells add to the enchantment.
Plants with silver foliage shine in sunlight, moonlight, or diffused light. Their muted tones give your senses a break from parades of colourful annuals, creating a calming ambience in your garden. So, when you are in need of garden therapy, hang out with your silvery plant friends.
