Species Silverscale Saltbush
lime-green foliage with yellow-brown stems

Silverscale Saltbush

Atriplex argentea var. argentea

Also Known As - Silvery Orache
Silverscale Saltbush (Atriplex argentea var. argentea) is an evergreen shrub native to arid regions. High in lignans, it was used for forage by the Indigenous people of Central America. Growing up to three feet high, the plant's foliage is a silvery green and its leaves are covered with a white wax coating. Its flowers are small spikes of yellowish-green that grow in clusters. Saltbush is drought-resistant and can tolerate salty soils, making it an important species for protecting shorelines from erosion. It is a great addition to xeriscaping gardens in arid regions, and its edible leaves can be used in salads or to make tea.

Watering:

Frequent

Hardiness Zone:

Sun:

full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Sweet William Catchfly requires 1-2 waterings per week, depending on the weather and the season. During the spring and summer when the weather is warm, Sweet William Catchfly should be watered regularly about every 5 to 6 days, making sure the soil is moist but not soggy. During the cooler months of fall and winter, waterings should be done less frequently - about once every 7 to 10 days. It is important to monitor the moisture levels in the soil to avoid over-watering, which can cause root rot or death of the plant.

sunlight

Sweet William Catchfly flourishes in full sun or partial shade and prefers well-drained, moist soils. It blooms from May to August and its flowers need full sun for at least 6 hours a day to help them thrive. A plant in full sun will produce more flowers and have greater overall vigor than 1 which is partially shaded. The best practice is to place your Sweet William Catchfly in an area of your garden that gets sun for most part of the day. If possible, it is advisable to give the plant 6 to 8 hours of sunlight daily. Bear in mind that the sunlight requirement might vary with the geographical location of the plant.

pruning

Sweet William Catchfly (Atocion armeria) should be pruned in late winter to early spring. Begin pruning by removing any dead or diseased branches, then cut back the back to the desired shape. Prune no more than 1-third of the stems in 1 season to prevent stressing the plant. In addition, remove any stems that have grown beyond the desired height. After pruning, make sure to fertilize the plant to promote new growth.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Harvest Fruit

Harvest Fruit

⚠️ Perenual and its members cannot be held liable for any health issues that may arise from the information provided on the website or from using any of the plants found on the site. The information provided is intended to be used as general guidelines only.