Silver and Gray Garden Plants

Silver and Gray foliage makes a striking display. I love the look of silver and gray plants with the early morning dew adding a little extra sparkle. There are a lot of plants to choose from trees to shrubs and perennials. Many of these silver and gray plants are drought tolerant as all of that fuzz on the leaves reduces the pace that water escapes the leaves. Quite a few of the silver and gray plants have fragrant foliage. Many of the silver and gray plants are great for theme gardens, including many California native plants, herb gardens, or Mediterranean Gardens. I often use red plants or other plants with brightly colored foliage to provide contrast in a silver and gray garden. There are enough silver and gray salvias that you could almost make an entire sage garden.

Plants for your Silver and Gray Garden

Abutilon palmeri * Indian Mallow
Acacia baileyana purpurea * Purple Fernleaf Acacia
Acacia boormanii * Snowy River Wattle
Acacia chinchillensis * Chinchilla Wattle
Acacia covenyi * Blue Bush Acacia
Acacia cultriformis * Knifeleaf Wattle, Knife Wattle, Dogtooth Wattle
Acacia dealbata * Silver Wattle
Acacia glaucoptera * Flat Wattle
Acacia iteaphylla * Willow Wattle, Flinder's Range Wattle
Acacia podalyriifolia * Pearl Acacia
Acacia pravissima * Oven's Wattle
Acacia spectabilis * Mudgee Wattle
Acacia vestita * Hairy Wattle
Achillea clavennae * Silver Yarrow
Achillea filipendulina Coronation Gold * Coronation Gold Yarrow
Achillea Hoffnung * Hoffnung Yarrow
Achillea kellereri * Keller's Yarrow
Achillea Moonshine * Moonshine Yarrow
Achillea tomentosa * Woolly Yarrow
Agave Blue Flame * Blue Flame Agave
Aloe brevifolia * Short Leaved Aloe
Aloe petricola * Stone Aloe
Aloe plicatilis * Fan Aloe
Antirrhinum hispanicum * Spanish Snapdragon
Arctostaphylos John Dourley * John Dourley Manzanita
Arctostaphylos Lester Rowntree * Lester Rowntree Manzanita
Arctostaphylos Pacific Mist * Pacific Mist Manzanita
Arctotis acaulis * Torch Purple African Daisy
Arctotis gumbletonii * Gumbleton African Daisy
Arctotis Opera Rose * Opera Rose African Daisy
Arctotis Pink Sugar * Pink Sugar African Daisy
Arctotis stoechadifolia * Cream African Daisy
Arctotis Sun Spot Orange * Sun Spot Orange African Daisy
Argemone munita * Prickly Poppy
Argyranthemum Chelsea Girl * Silver Marguerite
Arrhenatherum elatius bulbosum variegatum * Bulbous Oat Grass
Artemisia absinthium * Absinth
Artemisia arborescens Huntington
Artemisia californica * California Sagebrush
Artemisia Davids Choice * Sandhill Sage
Artemisia douglasiana * Mugwort
Artemisia frigida * Fringed Sage, Prarie Sage
Artemisia ludoviciana Silver King * Silver King Mugwort
Artemisia ludoviciana Valerie Finnis * Valerie Finnis Mugwort
Artemisia Powis Castle * Powis Castle Wormwood
Artemisia vulgaris * Mugwort
Asclepias californica * California Milkweed
Asclepias eriocarpa * Woollypod Milkweed, Indian Milkweed, Kotolo Milkweed
Asclepias erosa * Desert Milkweed
Asclepias speciosa * Showy Milkweed
Asclepias subulata * Rush Milkweed, Skeleton Milkweed
Astelia chathamica Silver Spear
Atriplex hymenelytra * Desert Holly
Baileya multiradiata * Desert Marigold
Banksia seminuda * River Banksia
Beloperone californica * Chuparosa
Beloperone californica Tecate Gold * Tecate Gold Chuparosa
Berberis nevinii * Nevin's Barberry
Berberis trifoliolata * Trifoliate Barberry
Brahea armata * Mexican Blue Palm
Buddleia Black Knight * Black Knight Butterfly Bush
Buddleia Blue Ribbon * Blue Ribbon Butterfly Bush
Buddleia Color Crush * Color Crush Butterfly Bush
Buddleia Harlequin * Variegated Butterfly Bush
Buddleia Lochinch * Lavender Butterfly Bush
Buddleia marrubifolia * Woolly Butterfly Bush
Buddleia Miss Molly * Miss Molly Butterfly Bush
Buddleia Nanho Purple * Nanho Purple Butterfly Bush
Buddleia Pink Delight * Pink Butterfly Bush
Buddleia Honeycomb * Gold Butterfly Bush
Buddleia White Profusion * White Profusion Butterfly Bush
Butia capitata * Jelly Palm
Calandrinia grandiflora * Rock Purslane
Calibanus hookeri * Mexican Boulder
Calocephalus brownii * Cushion Bush
Calothamnus quadrifidus * One Sided Bottle Brush
Camellia Ginyo Tsubaki
Carex flacca * Blue Sedge, Heath Sedge
Caryopteris clandonensis Korball * Blue Balloon
Caryopteris incana * Bluebeard
Caryopteris Longwood Blue * Longwood Blue Bluebeard
Cassia artemesioides * Silver Senna
Cassia purpusii * Baja California Senna
Castilleja affinis * Indian Paintbrush
Catananche caerulea * Cupid's Dart
Ceanothus crassifolius * Hoary California Lilac
Centaurea cyanus * Bachelor Buttons
Centaurea cyanus Black Gem * Black Gem Bachelor Buttons
Centaurea gymnocarpa * Pink Dusty Miller
Centaurea montana * Perennial Bachelor's Button, Mountain Bluet
Centranthus ruber * Red Valerian, Jupiter's Beard
Cerastium tomentosum * Snow in Summer
Chilopsis linearis * Desert Willow
Chilopsis linearis Purple Splendor * Purple Splendor Desert Willow
Chrysocephalum apiculatum * Common Everlasting
Chrysothamnus nauseosus * Rabbit Brush
Cirsium occidentale * Cobwebby Thistle
Cistanthe grandiflora * Rock Purslane
Cistus Grayswood Pink * Grayswood Pink Rockrose
Cistus skanbergii * Pink Rockrose
Cistus Sunset * Magenta Rockrose
Cleome arborea * Bladderpod
Correa Ivory Bells * Ivory Bells Australian Fuchsia
Cotula lineariloba * Brass Buttons
Cotula Silver Mound * Silver Mound Brass Buttons
Craspedia globosa * Billy Buttons
Crassula falcata * Airplane Plant
Crassula perforata * String of Buttons, Necklace Vine
Dalea frutescens * Black Dalea
Dasylirion wheeleri * Desert Spoon, Blue Sotol
Delospermum cooperi * Trailing Iceplant
Dendromecon harfordii * Island Bush Poppy
Dendromecon rigida * Bush Poppy
Deuterocohnia brevifolia
Dianthus Moonglow
Dianthus spotti
Dicentra chrysantha * Golden Eardrops
Dichondra argentea * Silver Dichondra
Dicliptera suberecta * Hummingbird Bush
Digitalis purpurea heywoodii Silver Fox * Silver Fox Foxglove
Dorycnium hirstum * Gray Broom, Hairy Canary Clover
Dudleya brittonii * Giant Chalk Dudleya
Dudleya hassei * Catalina Liveforever
Dudleya pulverulenta * Chalk Liveforever
Dudleya traskiae * Santa Barbara Island Liveforever
Dymondia margaretae * Silver Carpet
Echeveria secunda * Hens and Chicks
Echeveria Violet Queen * Violet Queen Hens and Chicks
Echium candicans * Pride of Madiera
Echium gentianoides Tajinaste
Echium wildpretii * Tower of Jewels
Ehrendorferia chrysantha * Golden Eardrops
Encelia farinosa * Brittlebush, Incienso
Encephalartos horridus * Blue Cycad
Ephedra californica * Desert Tea
Eremophila glabra Fire and Ice * Fire and Ice Emu Bush
Eremophila glabra Kalgoorlie * Fuchsia Emu Bush
Eremophila glabra Mingenew Gold * Mingenew Gold Emu Bush
Eremophila hygrophana * Blue Emu Bush
Eremophila racemosa * Easter Egg Emu Bush
Ericameria nauseosa * Rabbit Brush
Eriodictyon tomentosum * Woolly Yerba Santa
Erigeron argentatus * Silver Fleabane
Eriogonum arborescens * Santa Cruz Island Buckwheat
Eriogonum cinereum * Ashyleaf Buckwheat, Coastal Buckwheat
Eriogonum crocatum * Saffron Buckwheat
Eriogonum giganteum * Saint Catherine's Lace
Eriogonum grande rubescens * Red Buckwheat, Pink Buckwheat
Eriogonum incanum * Frosted Buckwheat
Eriogonum latifolium * Seaside Buckwheat, Coast Buckwheat
Eriogonum umbellatum * Sulphur Buckwheat
Eriogonum wrightii * Bastardsage, Wright's Buckwheat
Eriophyllum confertiflorum * Golden Yarrow
Eriophyllum staechadifolium * Seaside Golden Yarrow, Lizard Tail
Erodium chrysanthum * Yellow Storksbill
Erodium glandulosum roseum * Black Eyed Heronsbill
Eryngium yuccifolium * Button Eryngo, Rattlesnake Master
Erysimum Bowles Mauve * Purple Wallflower, Bowles Mauve Wallflower
Eschscholzia caespitosa * Tufted Poppy, Foothill Poppy
Eschscholzia californica * California Poppy
Eschscholzia californica Carmine King * Carmine King California Poppy
Eschscholzia californica White Linen * White Linen California Poppy
Eschscholzia minutiflora * Pygme Poppy
Eschscholzia parishii * Parish's Poppy
Eucalyptus caesia magna * Silver Princess
Eucalyptus macrocarpa * Mottlecah
Eucalyptus polyanthemos * Silver Dollar Gum, Red Box
Eucalyptus torquata * Coral Gum
Euphorbia characias wulfenii * Mediterranean Spurge
Euphorbia mammillaris variegata * Variegated Indian Corn Cob
Euphorbia myrsinites * Myrtle Spurge, Donkeytail Spurge, Creeping Spurge
Euphorbia Royal Velvet * Royal Velvet Spurge
Feijoa sellowiana * Pineapple Guava
Festuca californica * California Fescue
Fuchsia thymifolia variegata * Variegated Thyme Leafed Fuchsia
Garrya flavescens * Ashy Silktassel
Geranium harveyi * Silver Geranium
Geranium Stanhoe * Stanhoe Geranium
Glaucium flavum * Yellow Horned Poppy, Hornpoppy
Graptopetalum amethystinum * Jewel Leaf Plant, Lavender Pebbles
Graptopetalum paraguayense * Ghost Plant
Grevillea Gilt Dragon * Gilt Dragon Grevillea
Grevillea Magic Lantern * Magic Lantern Grevillea
Hakea laurina * Pin Cushion Bush
Hebe Silver Beads
Helianthemum Belgravia Rose * Pink Sunrose
Helianthemum Rose Glory * Dark Pink Sunrose
Helianthemum Wisley Pink * Pale Pink Sunrose
Helianthemum Wisley Primrose * Yellow Sunrose
Helichrysum petiolare * Licorice Plant
Helictotrichon sempervirens * Blue Oat Grass
Heliotropium curassavicum * Salt Heliotrope
Helleborus argutifolius * Corsican Hellebore, Holly Leaved Hellebore
Hesperocallis undulata * Desert Lily, Ajo Lily
Hibiscus lasiocarpos (H. californicus) * Woolly Rose Mallow
Hunnemannia fumariifolia * Mexican Tulip Poppy
Hyptis emoryi Silver Lining * Desert Lavender
Iochroma cyaneum * Blue Angel's Trumpet
Iochroma cyaneum violaceae * Purple Angel's Trumpet
Ipheion uniflorum * Spring Star Flower
Iris Black Gamecock * Lousiana Iris Black Gamecock
Iris Nada * (Iris japonica) Butterfly Iris
Isomeris arborea * Bladderpod
Juniperus conferta * Shore Juniper
Justicia californica * Chuparosa
Justica californica Tecate Gold * Tecate Gold Chuparosa
Justicia leonardii * Orange Justicia
Kalanchoe beharensis * Velvet Elephant Ear
Kalanchoe humilis
Kalanchoe pumila * Flower Dust Plant
Kalanchoe tomentosa * Panda Plant, Pussy Ears
Keckiella breviflora * Yawning Penstemon
Kniphofia shining sceptre * Shining Sceptre Red Hot Poker
Krameria bicolor * White Rhatany

Lavandula allardii Meerlo * Variegated Allard's Lavender
Lavandula angustifolia Hidcote * Hidcote English Lavender
Lavandula dentata candicans * Gray Leaved French Lavender
Lavandula Fred Boutin * Lavandin Fred Boutin
Lavandula Goodwin Creek Grey * Goodwin Creek Lavender
Lavandula Grosso * Lavandin Grosso
Lavandula heterophylla * Sweet Lavender
Lavandula multifida * Fern Leaf Lavender
Lavandula pinnata buchii * Jagged Lavender
Lavandula provence * Blue Lavandin, Lavandin Provence
Lavandula stoechas Atlas * Altas Spanish Lavender
Lavandula stoechas Coco Blue White * White Spanish Lavender
Lavandula stoechas Javelin Forte White * Javelin Forte White Spanish Lavender
Lavandula stoechas Madrid Purple * Madrid Purple Spanish Lavender
Lavandula stoechas Otto Quast * Otto Quast Spanish Lavender
Lavandula stoechas Silver Anouk * Silver Anouk Spanish Lavender
Lavatera bicolor * Bush Mallow
Lepechinia hastata * Mexican Pitcher Sage
Lepechinia salviae * Chilean Pitcher Sage
Leptospermum scoparium Helene Strybing * Helene Strybing New Zealand Tea Tree
Lessingia filaginafolia * California Aster
Leucadendron discolor * Flame Tips
Leucophyllum candidum * Violet Silver Leaf Sage
Leucophyllum frutescens * Texas Ranger
Leucophyllum laevigatum * Chihuahuan Sage
Leucospermum cordifolium Yellow Bird * Yellow Bird Pincushion, Nodding Pincushion
Leucospermum glabrum Veldfire * Veldfire Pincushion
Leymus condensatus Canyon Prince * Giant Wild Rye
Linum lewisii * Western Flax
Lotus crassifolius otayensis * Otay Mountain Lotus
Lotus maculatus * Parrot's Beak
Lupinus albifrons * Silver Bush Lupine
Lupinus chamissonis * Dune Bush Lupine, Chamisso Bush Lupine
Lupinus exubitus * Grape Soda Lupine
Lychnis coronaria * Rose Campion
Mahonia nevinii * Nevin's Barberry
Mahonia trifoliolata * Trifoliate Barberry
Maireana sedifolia * Pearl Bluebush
Malacothamnus fasciculatus * Chaparral Bush Mallow
Melaleuca elliptica * Granite Honey Myrtle
Melaleuca incana * Gray Honey Myrtle
Melaleuca quinquenervia * Paperbark Tree, Punk Tree
Melaleuca thymifolia * Thyme Honey Myrtle
Melianthus major * Honey Bush
Mentzelia laevicaulis * Blazing Star
Mentzelia micrantha * Chaparral Blazing Star, San Luis Stickleaf
Mirabilis multiflora * Colorado Four O'Clock, Showy Four O'Clock
Montanoa grandiflora * Daisy Tree
Neomarica caerulea * Walking Iris
Nepeta faassenii * Faassen's Catmint
Oenothera fremontii Shimmer * Shimmer Sundrop, Fremont Evening Primrose
Oenothera missouriensis * Missouri Evening Primrose
Opuntia basilaris var. basilaris * Beavertail Pricklypear Cactus
Origanum dictamnus * Crete Dittany
Origanum Hopley's Purple * Hopley's Purple Oregano
Origanum Kaliteri * Greek Oregano
Origanum Kent Beauty * Kent Beauty Oregano
Oscularia deltoides * Pink Iceplant
Pachyphytum compactum
Pachyphytum oviferum * Moonstones Succulent
Pelargonium fragrans * Nutmeg Geranium
Pelargonium sidoides * Silverleaf Geranium
Pelargonium sidoides gloriana * Pink Silverleaf Geranium
Pelargonium tomentosum * Mint Scented Geranium
Penstemon centranthifolius * Scarlet Bugler
Pentemon eatonii * Firecracker Penstemon
Penstemon grinnellii * Grinnell's Penstemon
Penstemon parryi * Parry's Penstemon, Desert Penstemon
Perovskia atriplicifolia * Russian Sage
Phlomis fruticosa * Jerusalem Sage
Phlomis purpurea * Purple Jerusalem Sage
Pinus coulteri * Coulter Pine, Big Cone Pine
Pinus monophylla * Single Leaf Pinyon Pine
Plectranthus argentatus * Silver Spur Flower
Prunus andersonii * Desert Peach, Desert Almond
Psorothamnus schottii * Schott's Indigo Bush
Puya alpestris * Sapphire Tower
Puya venusta
Quercus douglasii * Blue Oak
Rhodiola rosea * Rose Root Stonecrop
Rhynchelytrum nerviglume * Ruby Grass
Ribes aureum * Golden Currant
Romneya coulteri * Matilija Poppy
Ruscus hypoglossum * Horse Tongue Lily
Ruta graveolens * Rue
Sabal palmetto * Saw Palmetto
Salvia africana lutea * Golden Sage, Beach Sage, Dune Sage
Salvia Allen Chickering * Allen Chickering Sage
Salvia apiana * White Sage
Salvia argentea * Silver Sage
Salvia canariensis * Canary Island Sage
Salvia Celestial Blue * Celestial Blue Sage
Salvia chamaedryoides * Germander Sage
Salvia chamaedryoides Marine Blue * Marine Blue Germander Sage
Salvia chionopeplica * Baja Sage
Salvia clevelandii * Cleveland Sage, Blue Sage
Salvia clevelandii Winnifred Gilman * Winnifred Gilman Sage
Salvia Desperado * Desperado Sage
Salvia discolor * Andean Silver Leaf Sage
Salvia dorrii * Purple Desert Sage
Salvia flocculosa Ecuador * Ecuador Sage
Salvia karwinskii * Karwinski's Sage
Salvia lanceolata * Rocky Mountain Sage
Salvia leucantha * Mexican Sage
Saliva leucantha Danielle's Dream * Danielle's Dream Mexican Sage
Salvia leucantha Midnight * Purple Mexican Sage
Salvia leucantha Santa Barbara * Santa Barbara Mexican Sage
Salvia leuantha White Mischief * White Mischief Mexican Sage
Salvia leucophylla Amethyst Bluff * Amethyst Bluff Purple Sage
Salvia leucophylla Bee's Bliss * Bee's Bliss Sage
Salvia leucophylla Point Sal * Point Sal Purple Sage
Salvia muirii * Wild Sage
Salvia Pozo Blue * Pozo Blue Sage
Salvia verticillata Lilac Sage, Whorled Clary Sage
Santolina chamaecyparissus * Lavender Cotton
Santolina Lemon Queen * Pinnate Lavender Cotton, Lemon Queen Lavender Cotton
Scabiosa cretica * Balaeric Pincushion Flower
Schizostylus coccinea * Kaffir Lily
Scutellaria mexicana * Paperbag Bush, Mexican Bladder Sage
Scutellaria resinosa Smoky Hills * Prarie Skullcap
Scutellaria siphocampyloides * Grayleaf Skullcap
Sedum dasyphyllum * Corsican Stonecrop, Blue Tears Stonecrop
Sedum rosea * Rose Root Stonecrop
Sedum spathulifolium Cape Blanco * Cape Blanco Stonecrop
Sempervivum arachnoideum * Cobweb Houseleek
Senecio mandraliscae * Blue Chalk Sticks
Senecio radicans * Fish Hook Senecio, Necklace Plant, String of Bananas
Senna artemisioides * Silver Cassia
Senna purpusii * Baja California Senna
Serenoa repens * Saw palmetto
Sesleria caerulea * Blue Moor Grass
Silene vulgaris maritima * Sea Campion
Sisyrinchium bellum * Blue Eyed Grass
Sisyrinchium californicum * Yellow Eyed Grass
Sisyrinchium Rocky Point * Rocky Point Blue Eyed Grass
Sisyrinchium striatum * Satin Flower
Sisyrinchium striatum Aunt May * Variegated Satin Flower
Solanum hindsianum * Hind's Nightshade, Sonoran Nightshade, Mariola
Solanum xanti Mountain Pride * Mountain Pride Purple Nightshade
Solanum umbelliferum * Blue Witch Nightshade
Solidago californica * California Goldenrod
Sphaeralcea ambigua * Desert Globemallow, Apricot Mallow
Sphaeralcea ambigua Louis Hamilton * Louis Hamilton Apricot Mallow
Sphaeralcea ambigua rosacea * Rosy Globemallow, Rose Apricot Mallow
Sphaeralcea fulva La Luna * La Luna Globemallow, White Mallow
Sphaeralcea philippiana * Trailing Globemallow
Stachys albens * White Hedge Nettle
Stachys albotomentosa Hidalgo * Hidalgo Stachys, Seven-up Plant
Stachys byzantina Silver Carpet * Silver Carpet Lambs Ears
Stanleya pinnata * Prince's Plume
Strobilanthes gossypina * Pewter Bush
Tanacetum haradjanii * Silver Tansy
Teucrium ackermannii * Silver Germander
Teucrium cossonii * Fruity Germander
Teucrium fruticans azureum * Bush Germander
Teucrium majoricum * Fruity Germander
Teucrium marum * Cat Thyme
Tillandsia bergeri
Tradescantia sillamontana * Cobweb Spiderwort
Tropaeolum minus Black Velvet * Black Velvet Nasturtium
Yucca whipplei * Our Lord's Candle
Zauschneria californica * California Fuchsia