Common Name: Silver Buttonwood
Scientific Name: Conocarpus erectus var. sericeus
Type of Plant: Shrub
Description: Silver buttonwood has velvety-soft leaves dusted with silvery-gray color and makes a stunning hedge, accent or small tree.
Mature Size: 15-20′ tall x 15-20′ wide.
Blooms: Inconspicuous
Fruit: n/a
Climate Requirements: These plants are moderate to fast growers that prefer full to part sun. They’ll grow in part shade, too, but won’t be as full or as colorful.
Care Requirements: Silver buttonwoods do best in Zone 10. They can’t take the cold winter temps of Zone 9 and frost will do some serious damage.
Spacing: Space plants 3-4′ apart
Water Needs: Water on a regular basis. Though this shrub is drought-tolerant once it’s established, regular irrigation will keep it lush and full. If nothing else, at least give it a good drink during dry spells.
Maintenance: You can keep a silver buttonwood tree – or shrub – closely clipped for a neatly manicured appearance. This look works well in a formal landscape design. In an informal landscape, just trim wayward branches occasionally – and lower branches as the tree matures to allow foot traffic to pass beneath.
Special Uses/Attributes: Since this plant is salt tolerant it’s perfectly suited for coastal landscapes. Like all silver foliage plants, this shrub’s unusual color contrasts beautifully with all the green in a landscape. It can look almost white in a landscape or take on a bluish cast. These plants are especially effective when planted in combination with red, pink, purple, blue and white flowering plants. They can function as clipped hedge shrubs or left to grow in a more natural shape.
Florida Native: Yes