There are particular plants whose fuzzy leaves and blossoms just beg to be touched. They create walking a joy for greater than just the eyes. Luckily, some of the most touchable plants are relatively easy to include in a landscape. There are even some that are somewhat more at home within your house, perfect for those times once you simply can’t get outside to the garden.
Matthew Cunningham Landscape Design LLC
Lamb’s Ears
(Stachys byzantina)
Having a name such as lamb’s ears, what else could these crops be but warm and fuzzy? Their thick, densely packed leaves in shades of gray or green propagate readily, and this plant could handle dry conditions, although an excessive amount of rain will damage the leaves. Some types produce spikes of both soft purple blossoms.
Where it will grow: USDA zones 4 to 10 (find your zone)
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Water: Moderate to routine
Use it as a ground cover or an edging plant. Clean out frost-damaged or dead leaves.
Waterwise Landscapes Incorporated
Dusty Miller
(Senecio cineraria)
A gray-leafed shrublike perennial, dusty miller combines woolly light gray leaves with yellowish foliage. If you live in a warm-winter climate, then it’s possible to even get blossoms year-round. It is the leaves which stand out, though. Almost silver, they are a great contrast to other crops and actually shine in the moonlight.
Where it will grow: Grow as an annual in most zones
Light: Total sun
Water: Small to medium
Plant it where there’s good drainage and cut back it occasionally so it doesn’t become rangy. Miller manages drought and heat well.
Other crops also called dusty miller feature comparable foliage, such as Artemisia stellerana, Centaurea cineraria, C. gymnocarpa, Chrysanthemum ptarmiciflorum, Lychnis coronaria and Senecio vira-vira.
Small Miracles Designs
Angel’s Hair Artemisia
(Artemisia schmidtiana)
Angel’s hair artemisia does not generally grow too tall, but it is beautiful silver-gray foliage is worth reaching down to stroke. It is a fantastic selection for drier climates and has the benefit of attracting bees, butterflies and birds. ‘Silver Mound’ is a streamlined version that’s perfect for the front of a garden bed.
Where it will grow: Zones 4 to 9
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Water: Small to medium
Though it is generally not overly big, it can be invasive in perfect conditions. Cut it back when it is beginning to “part.” This artemisia does not like wet climates; for those places A. ‘Powis Castle’ is a fantastic option.
Waterwise Landscapes Incorporated
Jerusalem Sage
(Phlomis fruticosa)
Despite its name, Jerusalem sage isn’t a member of the family. It’s got a similar look to many true sages, though, with woolly leaves and almost equally woolly blossoms. This Mediterranean native is a favorite selection for warmer climates (zones 8 to 10), where it is grown as an evergreen, but it also does well in zones 5 to 7, even though it will die back in winter.
Where it will grow: Zones 8 to 10 as an evergreen; expires back in zones 5 to 7
Light: Full sunlight; can take light shade
Water: Small to medium
Jerusalem sage can handle drought conditions where summers are cool, but it requires a little more water in warmer areas. Freshly picked, it is a fantastic addition to flower arrangements. The blossoms also dry well.
GARDENIA-Sharly & Tanya Illuz
Mexican Bush Sage
(Salvia leucantha)
Mexican bush sage is a true member of the salvia household. It’s also quickly becoming a staple of gardens at the Southwest and California. It is easy care, using a long bloom season that could last during a mild winter. It is the blossoms which are the tender, almost furry, part of the plant. They could withstand a fair amount of touch and explain that the plant’s other common name: velvet sage.
Where it will grow: Zones 8 to 10 as a perennial; grow as an annual elsewhere
Light: Total sun
Water: Light to medium
Prune it just after bloom or in early spring to keep it in check, since it spreads readily. Cut off the flower spikes as they fade to promote repeat blooms.
Le jardinet
Licorice Plant
(Helichrysum petiolare)
How do you withstand licorice plant? Grow it to the fuzzy leaves and foliage colour, which can vary from gray-green to chartreuse to variegated shades of green and cream. The name comes from the faint licorice aroma, but it is best used as a spiller plant in a container arrangement.
Where it will grow: Zones 9 to 11; grow as an annual or a houseplant in most zones
Light: Total sun
Water: Moderate
Though the plant could be increased in the landscape, it can become invasive. The flowers are tiny, so expand it to the foliage colour you prefer.
Brian Maloney Design Associates
Mulleins
(Verbascum spp)
Mulleins could strike a note of fairy tale familiarity; they are rumored to be the beds which fairies sleep. It makes sense; their leaves and stems are the furry parts and would be the perfect bedding for a little creature. For people-size gardens, these exact same low leaves provide a base for tall stalks of flowers. Quite a few verbascum (the botanical name) species are accessible; the list of common names for these crops might be even more.
Where it will grow: Zones 4 to 10
Light: Total sun
Water: Small to medium
V. thapsus, shown here, has made a name for itself as a successful self-sower and a street weed, but it can be a stately addition to a mixed border so long as you don’t let it take over. It thrives even with poor soil and little water. This species is thought to have medicinal applications.
Fountain Grasses
(Pennisetum spp)
The fuzzy flower plumes of this fountain grasses are a graceful addition to the garden. You’ll discover these blossoms in a range of heights, colors and chilly tolerances, therefore there’s usually something for every garden spot.
Where it will grow: Zones 5 to 10
Light: Full sun or partial shade
Water: Small to routine, depending on the species
These can become invasive, so check with local nurseries about that fared well in your climate and also don’t self-sow too easily. In addition to using these to fill in garden beds, cut the stems early to add them in flower arrangements.
Debora carl landscape design
When it comes to touchable crops, this bud garden gives you two options in one space. In the front, a broad planting bed filled with Mexican feather grass (Stipa tenuissima, zones 6 to 10) creates a sea of soft waves. Its cloudlike appearance belies its hardiness; it manages low-water conditions well and can readily self-sow to the point of becoming invasive.
Notice: Cut back the plants before the seeds are ripe to block it from self-sowing.
Behind it ‘Morning Light’ silver bud (Miscanthus sinensis, zones 5 to 9) softens the fence line. Grass species are famous for their size range and showy plumes.
A wide array of silver grass species and hybrids is accessible; look for alternative common names such as eulalia grass, Japanese silver grass and maiden bud. Most thrive in partial to full sun.
Irish Moss
(Sagina subulata; also sold as Arenaria verna and A. v. caespitosa)
What can be softer than moss underfoot? In this instance it is Irish moss, the greener of the two most common landscape mosses (Scotch moss is yellower).
Both Irish and Scotch moss can be somewhat tougher to grow than other ground covers, since they want good soil, fantastic drainage and regular fertilizer. But if you make the effort, you will be rewarded with a soft ground cover that’s almost irresistible.
Where it will grow: Zones 6 to 10
Light: Full sun or partial shade
Water: Regular
This really does best with little to no foot traffic. It might mound.
Chenille Plant
(Acalypha hispida, A. pendula)
The chenille plant will surely stand out among other houseplants. Its tender tassels, looking somewhat like furry red caterpillars, give it its name. Show them off at a spot where they can drape downward, including in a hanging basket or above the edge of a ledge. In tropical gardens that the true chenille plant (Acalypha hispida) can reach up to 10 ft tall with tassels 11/2 feet extended.
Where it will grow: Grow as a houseplant
Light: Partial shade and indirect light; keep it from direct sun
Water: Regular; keep the soil moist; enjoys humid conditions
Rebekah Zaveloff | KitchenLab
Pussy Willow
(Salix discolor)
Get a head start on spring by growing a pussy willow. It will not bloom any sooner outdoors, but it is perfect for pushing into “blossom” as early as January. As a bonus, the soft catkins will remain fresh looking for a long time.
Where it will grow: Zones 4 to 9
Light: Total sun
Water: Regular to plentiful
Place cut branches in water and place them into a bright window. Or wait till spring and revel in the branches from the garden.