Plants with hairy, fuzzy, or downy leaves can add unique texture and visual interest to gardens. The soft hairs, scientifically known as trichomes, come in many shapes and forms from fine velvet-like coatings to woolly tufts. Beyond aesthetics, they serve a variety of functions for plants such as insulation, moisture retention, and deterring pests.
If you’re looking to add some hairy foliage to your garden, here are 10 great options:
1. Lamb’s Ear
With its thick coat of fine silver-white hairs, lamb’s ear (Stachys byzantina) is one of the fuzziest foliage plants The soft, velvety leaves evoke the texture of a lamb’s ear, giving rise to its common name Lamb’s ear grows as a low, spreading mat with spikes of small purple flowers in summer. It thrives in full sun and tolerates heat and drought once established.
2. Jerusalem Sage
Jerusalem sage (Phlomis fruticosa) is a Mediterranean perennial that bears dense whorls of yellow flowers in summer atop woolly stems and leaves. The oblong leaves are coated in fuzzy white hairs on both surfaces. Growing up to 3 feet tall, Jerusalem sage is excellent for the back of sunny borders and cottage gardens.
3. Mullein
The large leaves of mullein (Verbascum spp) are uniquely soft and fuzzy The rugose foliage is covered with dense white or gray hairs on both sides, giving leaves a thick, woolly texture. Different species bear tall spires of yellow, white, or purple flowers in summer. Mullein grows in full sun and adapts readily to both dry and moist soils.
4. Cotton Lavender
Cotton lavender (Santolina chamaecyparissus) features slender, finely divided gray-green foliage that resembles Italian cypress trees. The ferny leaves are dotted with glands that make them aromatic when brushed. Tiny yellow button flowers top wiry 18-inch stems in summer. This Mediterranean native thrives in hot, dry conditions.
5. Spider Flower
Spider flower (Cleome hassleriana) is an annual that bears round palmate leaves with five leaflets, each up to 6 inches across. The leaves are finely hairy and emit a pungent scent. Tall flower stalks carry showy pink, white, or purple spider-like blooms from early summer until frost. Spider flower thrives in full sun and tolerates heat and humidity.
6. Viper’s Bugloss
Viper’s bugloss (Echium vulgare) gets its common name from its spotted stems and snake-like shape. The bristly, lance-shaped leaves are covered in irritating hairs that dissuade pests. Dense clusters of bright blue to pink funnel-shaped flowers bloom from late spring into summer. This biennial or short-lived perennial adapts readily to many conditions.
7. Pincushion Flower
Pincushion flower (Scabiosa columbaria) produces fuzzy, oval gray-green leaves covered in short hairs up to 6 inches long. Lavender-blue pincushion-like flowers perch atop wiry 12-inch stems from early summer through fall. The compact mounded plants thrive in full sun and average to sandy well-drained soils. Deadheading promotes more blooms.
8. Angel’s Hair Artemisia
Fine, threadlike foliage gives angel’s hair artemisia (Artemisia schmidtiana) its name. The ferny leaves are covered with silvery hairs, giving the foliage a soft, feathery texture. Growing 12 inches tall and 2 feet wide, it bears tiny yellow flower panicles in late summer. Artemisia thrives in full sun and dry conditions including coastal and desert environments.
9. White-Woolly Verbascum
White-woolly verbascum (Verbascum lanatum) is named for its conspicuously woolly leaves. The large oblong leaves are densely covered in white felt-like hairs. Plants produce tall stems topped with dense spikes of small yellow flowers in late spring and early summer. This short-lived perennial grows in full sun and adapts well to both dry and moist soils.
10. Foxglove Beardtongue
Foxglove beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis) produces lance-shaped green leaves up to 5 inches long coated with fine white hairs. Tall spikes bear white to pink snapdragon-like flowers from late spring into summer. This perennial cottage garden classic does best in full sun or part shade and average, well-drained garden soil.
With their fuzzy foliage in shades of silver, gray, green, and more, these hairy leafed plants provide unique texture and visual appeal in the garden. They also attract pollinators while resisting pests. Give them plenty of sun and excellent drainage and they’ll thrive with minimal care.
Grow this plant in water and you will love it’s hairy leaves
FAQ
What kind of plant has fuzzy leaves?
What vegetable plant has fuzzy leaves?
What is the fuzzy leaf plant called?
What are the best large leaf houseplants?
Have a look at the best large leaf houseplants here! 1. Giant Rhubarb Botanical Name: Gunnera manicata This big leaf perennial has hairy, thick, veined leaves that grow up to 4-5 feet across on pink hairy stems. Plant it in full sun to partial shade using rich, moist soil on the edges of pond or stream or bog gardens.
Why do plants have hairy leaves?
Trichomes are the correct name for plant hair. Trichomes can act as an insulator by keeping cold away from the leaf cells. Trichomes also defend plants from herbivorous insects. Some trichomes are also unpleasant enough to keep larger herbivores away from a plant. Let us explore some plants which have hairy leaves in today’s post. 1.
What is the hardiest plant to grow in a garden?
The paddle-like giant leaves and thick trunk look spectacular in gardens; you can grow the hardiest variety Musa basjoo; Ensete ventricosum ‘Maurelii’ with red and green leaves. 9. Mayapples Botanical Name: Podophyllum spp The palm-like lobed leaves with black patterns look spectacular on canopy-like stems.
Are large leaves good for a garden?
Plants with large leaves can make a real impact in the garden. Well placed, they act as a focal point, standing out from neighbouring plants with smaller foliage. They’re also perfect for creating a jungle or exotic look – and many plants with bold foliage are hardy, so they don’t need protection during the winter months.