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Salvia argentea (Silver Sage) - A biennial or short-lived perennial that forms a beautiful 1-2 feet high mound by nearly 3 feet across with leaves that are whitish silver-gray, irregularly lobed, and quite fuzzy; at maturity their length is between 8-15 inches and 6 inches across. In early summer mature plants produce a 2–3-foot candelabrum-shaped flower spike that holds white flowers tinged with yellow or pink that are held on tiered whorls.
Plant in full sun in a well-drained soil. Water only occasionally. Hardy to -20° F and reportedly grown into USDA Zone 5a. This plant is primarily grown for its foliage and its lifespan in the garden may be prolonged if the inflorescence is removed as it is initiated but this plant can also perpetuate itself by seeding about so one may want to let the plant flower and go to seed. Watch for snails which are a known problem for this plant.
Salvia argentea comes from the Mediterranean region from Southern Europe and North Africa to the Eastern Mediterranean. The name Salvia comes from the Latin name used by Pliny for the plant and comes from the Latin word 'salvere' meaning "to save" in reference to the long-believed healing properties of the plant. The specific epithet of this plant is from the Latin word for silver. We have grown this plant at our nursery since 1990.
The information displayed on this page about Salvia argentea is based on our research conducted about this plant from books in our nursery library as well as from information that is provided by reliable online resources. We also have included our own observations made about it as it grew in the nursery gardens and other gardens visited, as well how the crops of this plant performed in the containers when we had them in our nursery field. We also include comments received from others and welcome hearing from anyone who has information about this plant, particularly if it includes cultural information aiding others to better grow it.
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