Plant Type

Biennial

 

Height Range

1-3'

 

Flower Color

White

 

Flower Season

Summer

 

Leaf Color

Grey Green, Silver, White

 

Bark Color

n/a

 

Fruit Color

n/a

 

Fruit Season

n/a

Sun

Full

 

Water

Low

 

Growth Rate

Moderate

 

Soil Type

Sandy, Loam, Rocky

 

Soil Condition

Average, Poor, Well-drained, Dry

 

Soil pH

Neutral

 

Adverse Factors

n/a

Design Styles

English Cottage, Meadow, Mediterranean, Ranch

 

Accenting Features

Unusual Foliage

 

Seasonal Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall

 

Location Uses

Perennial Border, Patio, Raised Planter, Walkways

 

Special Uses

Container, Small Spaces

 

Attracts Wildlife

n/a

The saliva is a biennial that forms clumps with large, woolly leaves (though the clump only grows to about 12 inches tall, the leaves may be up to 8 inches long and wide). Leaves emerge silver-white in spring but gradually mature to silver-gray to greenish-gray as the summer progresses. Flowers appear in its second year along erect stems and are whitish tinged with pink, blooming in early summer. Leave the flowers be or deadhead to discourage reseeding, though I'm not certain why you would want to.

Grow in full sun and well drained soil. Prefers sandy, gravelly soils, or amended clay soils. Tolerates dry and moist soils, but will not tolerate wet soils, especially going into the winter months. Technically a biennial, cutting off the flowers as they appear may encourage more perennial tendencies. Leaving the flowers offer other joys, though, as they are enjoyed by beneficial insects and, if well sited, might result in serrendipidous re-seeding.