If you are looking for the perfect annual or perennial for sun, one way to choose is by looking at the foliage.  Fleshy, felted, hairy, and silver leaves are made to order for dry sun.

Most silver -leaved plants are adapted for growing in dry, sunny areas.  Fernleaf Yarrow 'Anthea' (Achillea philipendulina) has heavily cut silver foliage and pale yellow blossoms.  It will fit in, color-wise, with most any planting.

Bath's Pinks (Dianthus) sport blue-gray spiky foliage with pale pink blossoms, highlighted with dark blotches.  In mild climates, it is evergreen and spreads quickly to form a mat.  Bath's Pinks are great for holding a hillside or as a low maintenance planting for the base of a mailbox.  The clove scent is a bonus.

Common Rue (Ruta graveolens) is a silver-blue leaved plant commonly sold as an herb.  Not only does it make a good foliage plant for the border, it is a host plant for the black swallowtail butterfly caterpillar.  (Fennel, dill, and parsley are these butterfly favorites.)

The caterpillars look like bird droppings when first hatched.  This look does not appeal to predators searching for a tasty meal.  Later on, they emerge from their infant skin to wear black and white stripes with yellow dots.  Put in plenty of plants to share with the butterflies.  Get your youngsters involved in this interesting study of the natural world.

Lamb's Ears (Stachys byzantina) are often planted "for the children" in the flower border.  Just try to walk past it yourself without stroking and petting it.  When it sends up stalks of blossoms, you can cut them off if you don't want the flowers in conflict with your "ears."

Nepeta 'Walker's Low' is a catmint with large pale blue flowerheads and blue-gray foliage.  Cats are not drawn to this plant, unlike a catnip.  You can safely plant it with garden cats.  They won't destroy the foliage and flowers with a rolling fit.  It is a 2007 Perennial Plant of the Year, excellent for zones 5-9. 

These silvers don't need polishing.  Plant these perennials in the sun; plant yourself in the shade, and sit back with that cool glass of lemonade.

--Posted by Anne K. Moore April 29, 2007--