Salvia argentea (silver sage) — Clump-forming or bushy, upright

Overview

Salvia argentea is a clump-forming or bushy, upright perennial in the genus Salvia, part of the Lamiaceae family, with deciduous, semi-evergreen or evergreen; aromatic, often textured or felted foliage. Salvia argentea grows best in full sun, and tolerates light loam and sand or chalk soils and neutral to alkaline pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H3–H5 for shrubby kinds, H6–H7 for the hardy herbaceous species. Suggested uses include borders, rock gardens and drought-tolerant gardens. It is native to Mediterranean.

About

Salvia argentea is a clump-forming perennial sage valued for its large, felted, silvery basal leaves. It sends flowering stalks well above the foliage, bearing largely white blooms. Plant it in full sun on sharply drained, neutral to alkaline soils in a south- or west-facing, sheltered spot. Winter wet is the usual cause of loss, so keep soil open and freely draining.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Salvia argentea

About the genus

Salvia is the largest genus of plants in the sage family Lamiaceae, with just under 1,000 species of shrubs, herbaceous perennials, and annuals. Within the Lamiaceae, Salvia is part of the tribe Mentheae within the subfamily Nepetoideae. One of several genera commonly referred to as sage, it includes two widely used herbs, Salvia officinalis and Salvia rosmarinus.

Wikipedia contributors, "Salvia", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Salvia

In the garden

Native to the Mediterranean, Salvia argentea produces a low rosette of densely felted leaves that lend a silvery aspect through much of the year, with flowering from June to September. The plant may be deciduous, semi-evergreen or evergreen depending on site and winter severity, and the foliage is aromatic and textured rather than glossy. Give Silver Sage a warm, sheltered position in full sun, ideally facing south or west. It prefers light loam, sandy or chalky soils with a neutral to alkaline pH and must be sharply drained; winter waterlogging is the common cause of plant failure. Exposure should be sheltered from prevailing cold winds to protect the felted leaves and above-ground growth. There are shrubby forms and hardier herbaceous types: shrubby garden forms fall into H3–H5 (borderline to hardy), while the truly hardy herbaceous species sit at H6–H7 (very hardy to fully hardy), meaning many varieties will survive UK winters in the right site. White flowers, often tinged with yellow or pink, stand on stalks above the foliage through June to September. Use Salvia argentea at the front of a sunny border, in a rock garden or a drought-tolerant planting where its silver leaves contrast with darker foliage.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Salvia

Sunlight: Full sun
Soil type: Light loam, sand or chalk
Soil pH: Neutral to alkaline
Soil moisture: Sharply drained; winter wet is the usual cause of loss
Aspect: South or west facing
Exposure: Sheltered
UK hardiness: H3–H5 for shrubby kinds, H6–H7 for the hardy herbaceous species

Plant details

Salvia argentea size, habit and characteristics

Plant type: Perennial
Habit: Clump-forming or bushy, upright
Foliage: Deciduous, semi-evergreen or evergreen; aromatic, often textured or felted
Suggested uses: Borders, rock gardens, drought-tolerant gardens
Native to: Mediterranean

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Salvia argentea

Cultivation: Drainage matters more than cold — most losses come from sitting wet through winter rather than from low temperature. Give the sunniest, sharpest-draining spot available, delay cutting back until spring so old growth shelters the crown, and take insurance cuttings of anything tender.
Pruning: Leave the top growth intact over winter, then cut back to a low framework of live buds in mid-spring once the frosts have passed. Deadhead through summer to extend flowering.
Propagation: Softwood and semi-ripe cuttings root very easily from spring to late summer, which is the standard insurance against winter losses. Divide hardy herbaceous kinds in spring.
Pest resistance: Aromatic foliage deters most pests; capsid bug and leafhopper occasionally cause spotting.
Disease resistance: Robust in dry conditions. Powdery mildew and root rot appear only where the soil stays wet.

Frequently asked questions

How do I grow Salvia argentea?

Drainage matters more than cold — most losses come from sitting wet through winter rather than from low temperature. Give the sunniest, sharpest-draining spot available, delay cutting back until spring so old growth shelters the crown, and take insurance cuttings of anything tender.

Where is the best place to plant Salvia argentea?

Salvia argentea prefers full sun. It suits sheltered positions.

What soil does Salvia argentea need?

Salvia argentea grows best in light loam and sand or chalk soil. It prefers neutral to alkaline soil. Aim for soil that stays sharply drained; winter wet is the usual cause of loss.

How do I prune Salvia argentea?

Leave the top growth intact over winter, then cut back to a low framework of live buds in mid-spring once the frosts have passed. Deadhead through summer to extend flowering.

Is Salvia argentea hardy in the UK?

Salvia argentea has an RHS hardiness rating of H3, meaning it is half-hardy, tolerating -5 to 1°C, and may need winter protection in colder areas.

How do I propagate Salvia argentea?

Softwood and semi-ripe cuttings root very easily from spring to late summer, which is the standard insurance against winter losses. Divide hardy herbaceous kinds in spring.

More in the Salvia genus

Browse all Salvia →