Atriplex leucophylla - Beach Saltbush

Description

The Beach Saltbush is a little perennial that grows on dunes and coastal strand.  It hugs the ground, growing about 6" tall and a couple feet wide.  Foliage is an attractive powdery silver on pink to red stems.  Flowers are discreet and roughly the same color as the foliage.  Though this plant grows in sand in the wild, it will grow in other types of soil as long as drainage is fairly good (not a seep or bog).  Silver foliage would add beautiful contrast in a mixed border with other low growers such as Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Arctostaphylos edmundsii, Erigeron glaucus, Fragaria chiloensis, or any of the lower growing Ceanothus.  Full sun on the coast, but may need a milder spot inland.