Silverbush Morning Glory
Latin Name: Convolvulus cneorum
Price range: $14.95 through $16.95
- Pot Size: 2 Inch, 4 Inch
- Hardiness Zone: Zone 8, Zone 9, Zone 10
Convolvulus cneorum forms a low, rounded mound of silver foliage that catches the light all year. Its narrow leaves wear a coat of fine, silky hairs, giving the whole shrub a soft, brushed-silver look. That silvery cover is more than good looks. The tiny hairs reflect sunlight and slow water loss, a trait shaped by its dry, rocky Mediterranean home. From late spring into summer, pink buds open into white funnel-shaped flowers with pale yellow throats. Even out of bloom, the silver foliage keeps this compact shrub interesting through the seasons.
Plant Details
Quick Information
- Latin Name: Convolvulus cneorum
- Plant Family: Convolvulaceae
- Common Names: Silverbush, Bush Morning Glory, Shrubby Bindweed
- Origin / Native Range: Central Mediterranean Basin – coastal limestone areas of Italy, Sicily, the Adriatic islands, and Tunisia
- Mature Height × Width: 1.5–2 ft × 2–4 ft
- Exposure Requirements: Full Sun
- Irrigation Requirements: Low
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 8–10
- Cold Hardiness: 10°F–15°F
- Bloom Time: Late Spring through Summer
- Bloom Color: White
General Information
Silverbush is unusual within its family. Most morning glories are twining vines, but this species grows as a small, dense shrub. It spreads slowly into a low mound, often wider than it is tall. Young plants stay tight and compact. With age, the stems can stretch and open up, so older plants may look loose without light pruning. The narrow leaves crowd along the stems and hold their silver color in every season. In spring, rosy-pink buds appear at the branch tips. They unfurl into white trumpet-shaped blooms about an inch and a half wide, each marked with a soft yellow center. The flowers open in the morning and close by evening, then repeat the cycle for weeks.
This shrub comes from the sunny limestone coasts of the central Mediterranean. There it roots in cracks of rock and thin soil over limestone – ground that drains fast and dries quickly. Those origins explain how it behaves in the garden. It thrives in full sun, sandy or gravelly soil, and hot, reflected heat off walls or pavement. Once its roots settle in, it needs little water. The catch is drainage. Silverbush dislikes wet feet and heavy clay, and soggy winter soil can rot its roots. The same silky hairs that give the leaves their color also help the plant cope with drying wind and coastal salt spray. These traits make it a good fit for rock gardens, raised beds, dry borders, and containers.
The genus name Convolvulus comes from a Latin word meaning to twine or roll together, a nod to the climbing habit of most of its relatives. Silverbush is one of the few members that never climbs, which sets it apart from the weedy field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis) that shares its flower shape. During bloom, the open flowers offer nectar and pollen to bees and other visiting insects. Because it flowers over a long stretch of warm weather, it can feed pollinators when many other plants have finished. For gardeners in dry, mild-winter regions, silverbush pairs the year-round glow of silver foliage with an easy, low-water nature – as long as the soil drains well.
General Planting & Cultivation Information
Even drought-tolerant plants require regular watering until they are well established, good drainage is essential. If planting in containers, avoid pots without drainage holes.
Irrigate by watering deeply and then allowing the top several inches of soil to dry between waterings. This encourages the plant to send roots deep into the earth in search of moisture, helping it to become established, prevent root rot, build drought tolerance, and resilience to wind, heat, and cold.
The length of time between waterings will vary depending on your growing conditions and environment. Use a moisture meter for precise irrigation.
When planting, set the plant at the same depth as it was in its current container. For trees, ensure the top of the root flare is at soil level.
Young plants are vulnerable to harsh conditions, so consider growing them in larger containers until mature.
When planting in the ground, research the optimal planting season for your climate zone and protect young plants from frost.
To support establishment, consider creating a microclimate with nurse plants, shade, or wind protection. This can reduce stress, conserve soil moisture, and increase long-term success.
Protect the small, immature plants from rabbits and deer.
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