As it turns out you don’t always have to spend a lot on new plants or replacements for your garden. I’ve found some really good deals on discounted plants at Lowe’s. On the discount shelf there are out of season or out of bloom plants that I can pay only .25 a piece for 4” pots to 75% off on larger plants. One of my favorite finds was 3 of my Maple trees that I got for $5 and are growing very well and providing shade in my yard 6 years later. Last fall I discovered a plant with silver foliage in 4” pots for .25 each. I bought 4 and planted them in the backyard. I found out later the plants are called silver sage. It has large fuzzy leaves and has started blooming this month with airy flowers on tall stalks. Some people don’t like the look of the flower stalks and cut them off. I’m going to wait and see if birds or butterflies are interested in the blooms. I planted my silver sage in a boarder right outside my screened porch when I can see it often.
Silver sage likes to be nice and dry. If the leaves stay wet for several days they will rot and need to be removed. The crowns will rot and die in wet soil. Rabbits and deer don’t care for them but slugs consider them one of their favorites.
