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Silver Nickel Vine Dichondra argentea 'Silver Falls'

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Dichondra evolvulacea var. argentea
Phonetic Spelling
dy-KON-druh ar-JEN-tee-uh
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

'Silver Falls' is a popular cultivar of Dichondra argentea, commonly called Silver Nickle Vine. It is a creeping, trailing herbaceous perennial. The plant's maximum height of 4 inches and rapid spread of rooting stems to 3 to 4 feet wide make it a great bedding plant or ground cover and its silvery metallic-like foliage contrasts well with other green-leaved plants. This plant can grow in sandy loam soil and is best suited for containers, hanging baskets, rock walls, as a ground cover, window boxes, or an accent plant in beds. From a hanging basket, it will cascade down 3 to 6 feet in one season. The genus name comes from the Greek words di meaning two and chondros meaning lump in reference to the fruit having two capsules. The species name means silvered.

'Silver Falls' is a winter hardy evergreen; however, it is sometimes grown as an ornamental annual. The plant prefers dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils, and full sun. But it does tolerate some light shade, heat. and drought. It will also do well in sandy loams with good drainage. It is best grown in baskets or containers or as a seasonal ground cover. Soil drainage is particularly important if plants are grown as a ground cover.

Insect Pests, Diseases, and Other Problems:

This plant does not have major insect, pest, or disease problems.

 

See this plant in the following landscapes:
Colorful Borders Davidson County Extension Demonstration Garden
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#full sun tolerant#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#low growing#gray leaves#silver leaves#colorful leaves#low maintenance#window boxes#dappled sunlight#low growing plant#ornamentals#contrast#herbaceous perennial#groundcover#bedding plants#evergreen groundcover#garden walls#partial shade tolerant#container plant#accent
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#full sun tolerant#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#low growing#gray leaves#silver leaves#colorful leaves#low maintenance#window boxes#dappled sunlight#low growing plant#ornamentals#contrast#herbaceous perennial#groundcover#bedding plants#evergreen groundcover#garden walls#partial shade tolerant#container plant#accent
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Dichondra
    Species:
    argentea
    Family:
    Convolvulaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    groundcover
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Perennial
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Very drought tolerant; heat; some light shade (dappled sunlight)
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 2 in. - 0 ft. 4 in.
    Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Ground Cover
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Semi-evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Creeping
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Fine
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Dry
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    Two capsuled fruit
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Insignificant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Insignificant (very small) flowers bloom in late spring (May to June) in colors of white and yellow (more of a greenish-yellow).
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Semi-evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Leaf Feel:
    Soft
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Other/more complex
    Leaf Shape:
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    This plant has colorful silvery (nearly metallic looking) but soft foliage (about 1 inch). Its shape is somewhere between fan-shaped and round.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Stems are silver and branching.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Hanging Baskets
    Rock Wall
    Landscape Theme:
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Mass Planting
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Heat
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Can cause skin irritation if touched.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    unidentified
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    Yes