Whether the backdrop is a leafy green garden or a dark fence, a container of silver plants instantly brightens the landscape. In the warm months, silver foliage has the added benefit of adding a cooling visual effect, too. Ready to start bringing a little shimmer into your yard? Here are 5 of our favorite container combos highlighting the luminous allure of silver plants.
An Aromatic Trio
In this full-sun container designed by BHG Test Garden manager Sandra Gerdes, ‘Aladin’ curry plant’s upright form and fine-texture leaves act as a foil for two spilling herbs: ‘Tricolor’ sage, with its purple-and-silver leaves, and delicate ‘Silver Queen’ thyme. While the silver foliage draws the eye, once you come closer, you’re struck by the plants’ incredible scent too.
Silver Two Ways
Gerdes shows off two sides to silver’s personality in these two container arrangements. The upper pot leans dramatic, thanks to the contrast of the scarlet–trim silver leaves of 'Jurassic Dino Dragon Fruit’ rex begonia, which play off the variegated English ivy and shrubby everlasting. In the lower container, silver takes on a softer look—and feel—with the velvety leaves of licorice plant, 'Angel Wings’ senecio, and ‘Mori’s Strain’ artemisia; dainty ‘Pink Chablis’ lamium flowers lend a touch of color. The top pot is best for shade, while the bottom one thrives in full sun.
Graphic Design in Silver
Three patterns make this container an especially striking combo: The rind-like stripes of the aptly named watermelon peperomia, the tight spiral of ‘Jurassic Jr. Arctic Twist’ rex begonia, and the geometric chevron of the container itself. What ties them all together is the silver sheen that jumps from one pattern to the next. Place in part to full shade.
Clouds of Silver
Containers don’t always need a huge attention-grabbing bloom at their center. Here, Gerdes created an airy, cohesive container with delicate, shimmering flowers of alyssum and ‘Glitz’ euphorbia, pops of pale purple ‘Starfish’ petunia blooms, soft mounds of velvety artemisia, and trailing silver tendrils of dichondra. The result is a pleasing cloud of white, silver, and lavender.
Sandra Gerdes, BHG Test Garden Manager
The way silver foliage reflects light is not only beautiful but also reduces evaporation and water loss, making the plants more drought-tolerant.
Silver and Gold
Rising tall with oversized silver leaves, broccoli makes a surprising main character in this container combo. Accent with golden ‘Samantha’ lantana flowers and yellow striped ‘Evergold’ carex. A great option for the cooler seasons, the container will do best with full sun and plenty of water.
