Create Your Garden

Salvia argentea (Silver Sage)

Silver Sage, Silver Clary, Silvery Clary, Silvery-Leaved Sage, Salvia sclarea 'Argentea'

AGM Award
Salvia argentea, Silver Sage, Silver Clary, Silvery Clary, Silvery-Leaved Sage, Salvia sclarea 'Argentea'
Salvia argentea, Silver Sage, Silver Clary, Silvery Clary, Silvery-Leaved Sage, Salvia sclarea 'Argentea'
A cactus from South America, Cereus repandus f. monstrosa catches the light, surrounded by clouds of Echinacea tennesseensis, and silvery Euphorbia myrsinites, and Salvia argentea
Salvia argentea, Silver Sage, Silver Clary, Silvery Clary, Silvery-Leaved Sage, Salvia sclarea 'Argentea'

Prized for its furry silver leaves, award-winning Salvia argentea (Silver Sage) is a biennial or short-lived perennial forming a compact rosette of broadly ovate, scallop-edged, silvery white leaves, up to 8 in. long (20 cm). The leaves are densely covered with silver hairs that create a lovely wooly effect. Impossible to resist petting the soft, appealing foliage! In summer, many erect flowering stems bearing hooded, blush-white flowers adorned with silvery calyxes, rise well above the foliage. Native to dry, stony grasslands of Southern Europe, the eastern Mediterranean and northwest Africa, Silver Sage is well suited to borders or containers. It can be used as an accent plant in the rock garden, or at the front of the dry sunny border.

  • Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
  • Grows up to 3-4 ft. tall (90-120 cm) and 2 ft. wide (60 cm). Will self-seed in the garden if left to flower.
  • Performs best in full sun in light, moderately fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil. Tolerates light shade, but best in full sun. Avoid wet soil, especially in winter. Drought tolerant once established.
  • Perfect addition to perennial borders, wall-side borders, cottage gardens, Mediterranean gardens, rock gardens or containers.
  • No serious pest or disease issues. Keep an eye out for slugs, snails and leafhoppers. Deer resistant.
  • Cutting back the flower stalks may extend the life of the plant.
  • Often dies after flowering so if you grow it for its foliage, remove flowers before they open.
  • Propagate by seed in pots in a cold frame in spring.
  • Native to the Mediterranean area (Southern Europe to Northern Africa).
  • What is Salvia? Understanding its role in gardening and beyond
  • Salvia: Discover 10 Key Benefits of Growing Sage in Your Garden

Salvia: Plant Care and Growing Guide


Here are some tips on how to plant and grow salvia successfully

Requirements

Hardiness 5 - 8
Heat Zones 5 - 8
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Annuals, Perennials
Plant Family Lamiaceae
Genus Salvia
Common names Sage
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall
Height 3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm)
Spread 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 24" - 36" (60cm - 90cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low, Average
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Dry Soil
Attracts Bees
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers, Wall-Side Borders
Garden Styles Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Salvia (Sage)
Guides with
Salvia (Sage)
Not sure which Salvia (Sage) to pick?
Compare Now

Alternative Plants to Consider

Salvia guaranitica (Blue Anise Sage)
Salvia splendens ‘Van-Houttei’ (Scarlet Sage)
Salvia nemorosa ‘Blue By You’ (Sage)
Salvia microphylla (Baby Sage)
Salvia pratensis (Meadow Sage)
Salvia nemorosa ‘Perfect Profusion’ (Sage)

Recommended Companion Plants

Triteleia laxa ‘Queen Fabiola’ (Ithuriel’s Spear)
Euphorbia myrsinites (Myrtle Spurge)
Echinacea tennesseensis (Tennessee Coneflower)
Salvia yangii (Russian Sage)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

Annual Salvias: Heat-Loving Color That Blooms All Season
Best Full Sun Perennials for Zone 8: Top Heat-Tolerant Garden Winners
Best Full Sun Shrubs for Zone 8: Heat-Loving Shrubs That Thrive in Sunshine
Top Zone 6 Full Sun Perennials – Color That Thrives in Heat & Cold
Top Zone 7 Full Sun Perennials for Long Bloom, Color & Pollinators
Native Garden Ideas – Best Native Plants for a Beautiful Yard
Mediterranean Gardens: Low-Water Design, Plants & Ideas
Drought Tolerant Gardens – The Ultimate Water-Wise Guide
Pollinator Gardens: Plants, Designs & Care Guide
Why Rosemary is Perfect for Gardens and Pots
Grow These 20 Herbs Indoors for Freshness All Year
Salvia: Discover the Top Benefits of Growing Sage in Your Garden
Salvia Varieties for a Stunning, Water-Wise Garden
Salvia nemorosa (Woodland Sage)
What is Salvia? Understanding Its Role in Gardening and Beyond
Top 70 Summer Flowers to Brighten Your Garden and Home
50 Best Fall Flowers to Color Your Autumn Garden
Desert Shrubs: Essential Plants for Dry Gardens
Desert Flowers: Bringing Color to Dry Gardens
50 Fall Wildflowers: Top Picks for a Vibrant Autumn Garden
50 Summer Wildflowers: Bright Blooms for Your Garden
50 Wildflowers that Thrive in Sun
50 Blue Wildflowers for Every Garden
50 Pink Wildflowers for Every Garden
50 Purple Wildflower to Brighten Your Garden
50 California Wildflowers: From Desert Blooms to Coastal Gems
50 Texas Wildflowers to Brighten Your Garden
Top 50 Most Beautiful Flowers Worldwide
Stunning Blue Flowers to Enhance Your Garden’s Beauty
Add a Splash of Color: Perfect Flowering Shrubs for Small Gardens
42 Best Perennial Flowers and Plants to Brighten Your Garden Every Season
30 Best Spring Flowers Every Gardener Should Grow
How to Create an Enchanting Butterfly Garden
For the Love of Butterflies: Best Flowers to Attract them to Your Garden
6 Reasons You Should Create a Butterfly Garden
Salvia (Sage)
Best Annual Flowers and Plants to Spruce up Your Garden
Hummingbird
18 Best Plants That Repel Mosquitoes
Rosemary: Learn How To Plant, Grow and Harvest
Salvia yangii (Russian Sage)
Best Annual Flowers and Plants for Full Sun
Wonderful Plants That Repel Insects
Companion Planting With Herbs
Great Rose Companion Plants: Nepeta, Salvia and Lavandula
Best and Worst Companion Plants for Rosemary
Hardy Perennial Salvias (Sage)
Salvia guaranitica (Blue Anise Sage)
Plants with Purple Flowers to Add Charm to Your Garden
Salvia: Plant Care and Growing Guide
Best Flowers to Attract Hummingbirds
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Buy Plants

Requirements

Hardiness 5 - 8
Heat Zones 5 - 8
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Annuals, Perennials
Plant Family Lamiaceae
Genus Salvia
Common names Sage
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall
Height 3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm)
Spread 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 24" - 36" (60cm - 90cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low, Average
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Dry Soil
Attracts Bees
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers, Wall-Side Borders
Garden Styles Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Salvia (Sage)
Guides with
Salvia (Sage)
Not sure which Salvia (Sage) to pick?
Compare Now

Gardening Ideas

Plant Calculator

How many Salvia argentea (Silver Sage) do I need for my garden?

Input your garden space dimensions

Your Shopping List

Plant Quantity
Salvia argentea (Silver Sage) N/A Buy Plants

Please Login to Proceed

You Have Reached The Free Limit, Please Subscribe to Proceed

Subscribe to Gardenia

To create additional collections, you must be a paid member of Gardenia
  • Add as many plants as you wish
  • Create and save up to 25 garden collections
Become a Member

Plant Added Successfully

Your garden is taking shape. Unlock full planning.

You’ve reached the free limit. Upgrade for $25/year to add as many plants as you wish and save up to 25 garden collections. Unlock Annual Membership

Update Your Credit
Card Information

Cancel

Create a New Collection

Sign Up to Our Newsletter

    You have been subscribed successfully

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Find your Hardiness Zone

    Find your Heat Zone

    Find your Climate Zone