Silver Sage
Salvia argentea
Silver Sage (Salvia argentea) is a perennial suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 18–30 in tall and 18–24 in wide, needs low water, and prefers full sun. Huge silver-furred rosette; short-lived but reseeds; touch the leaves.
Plant Select®low water18–30 in tall and 18–24 in wideXeric / water-wiseDeer-resistant
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At a glance
- Botanical name
- Salvia argentea
- Type
- Perennial
- Mature size
- 18–30 in tall and 18–24 in wide
- Planting spacing
- ~17–24 in apart
- Bloom length
- 2–3 weeks
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4–9
- Water needs
- low water
- Sun
- Best in full sun.
- Colorado native
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Soil
- loam, sandy, well drained only
- Soil pH
- 6.5–8.0
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Firewise (defensible space)
- Zones 1–3 (can be planted near the house)
- Bloom color
- white
- Bloom time
- early summer, mid summer
- Pollinator value
- moderate
Wildlife & ecology
- Pollinator value
- moderate
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
Planting & establishment
Deep water every 1–2 weeks during establishment (first growing season), then water sparingly per Plant Select guidance.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Silver Sage good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Silver Sage is a well-suited perennial for Colorado's Front Range.
- How big does Silver Sage get?
- It matures to about 18–30 in tall and 18–24 in wide.
- How far apart do I plant Silver Sage?
- Space Silver Sage about 17 in apart for a faster, fuller bed, or up to 24 in apart for a looser planting.
- Is Silver Sage hardy on the Front Range?
- Silver Sage is hardy in USDA 4–9. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does Silver Sage need?
- It needs low water once established.
- Is Silver Sage native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is Silver Sage deer-resistant?
- Silver Sage is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Is Silver Sage a good firewise plant near the house?
- Silver Sage is a lower-fuel choice suitable in defensible-space zones 1–3, it can be planted near the house when kept well irrigated and maintained. This is general suitability guidance based on CSU Extension firewise plant lists, not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
- How long does Silver Sage bloom?
- Silver Sage blooms for about two to three weeks on the Front Range. Bloom timing shifts a week or two with elevation and spring weather.
