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Salvia argentea is often confused with:
Senecio candicans Angel Wings® 'Senaw' Senecio candicans 'Angel Wings' leaves
Native alternative(s) for Salvia argentea:
Salvia lyrata Erect spike of pale lavender flowers.
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Buddleja Lo & Behold® 'Ice Chip' 'Ice Chip' form
Petunia x hybrida Petunia x hybrida
Silene coronaria Flower
Salvia argentea has some common insect problems:
Slugs & Snails on Ornamental Plants
Salvia argentea has some common disease problems:
Southern Bacterial Wilt on Herbaceous Ornamental Plants

Silver Sage Salvia argentea

Phonetic Spelling
SAL-vee-ah ar-jen-TAY-ah
Description

Silver sage is a biennial in the mint family (Lamiaceae) native to the Mediterranean, southern Europe, and northern Africa. Grown specifically for its large, white, woolly leaves, which appear in a rosette 6 to 12 inches tall and wide the first year, the plant flowers in the second growing season and then dies after flowering. The species epithet is Latin for “silvery.”

Plant silver sage in full sun to partial shade and in well-drained soil. Avoid wet soil, especially in winter. It declines with heat and summer rain. Cutting back the flower stalks when they appear may temporarily delay flowering and the death of the plant. It will self-seed in the garden if left to flower. It may also be propagated by removing lateral root shoots in the spring. It is resistant to drought and deer.

Because of its low profile, silver sage’s best use is as a border or in a container. Its brightness works well in a nighttime garden, and its tactile quality makes it excellent for a children’s garden or sensory garden. It works well in cottage gardens or rock gardens.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Slugs and snails are pests. Stem and root rot, powdery mildew, rust, and leaf spot may also be problems.

VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Annuals, Perennials, Vines, and Groundcovers," a plant identification course developed in partnership with Longwood Gardens. 

More information on Salvia.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Artemis'
'Artemis'
Tags:
#biennial#white flowers#silver leaves#white leaves#showy leaves#velvety#edging#nighttime garden#border planting#bedding plants#hairy leaves#container plant#short lived#HS303
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Artemis'
'Artemis'
Tags:
#biennial#white flowers#silver leaves#white leaves#showy leaves#velvety#edging#nighttime garden#border planting#bedding plants#hairy leaves#container plant#short lived#HS303
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Salvia
    Species:
    argentea
    Family:
    Lamiaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Biennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Root Cutting
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Mediterranean, Southern Europe, Northern Africa
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Deer, drought, dry soil.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Habit/Form:
    Prostrate
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Coarse
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Fruit Type:
    Schizocarp
    Fruit Description:
    Tiny, schizocarpic nutlets, typical for the genus.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Panicle
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Tubular
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    fused petals
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Early summer, white, tubular, hooded flowers whorled on a 2- to 3-foot-tall inflorescence with candelabra branching.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    White
    Leaf Feel:
    Soft
    Velvety
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Rosulate
    Leaf Shape:
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Crenate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Downy, felt like large (8 inches long and 6 inches wide) wrinkled leaves that form a rosette.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Square
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Small Space
    Landscape Theme:
    Children's Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Garden for the Blind
    Nighttime Garden
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Dry Soil
    Problems:
    Short-lived