Common Name : Silver Mound

Latin Name : Artemesia

Description : Also known as wormwood, the silver foliage of the Artemesia provides a summer-long accent in the perennial garden.

The most popular variety in our area is the Artemesia nana, commonly known as the Silver Mound. There are dozens of varieties, but the Silver Mound is the most popular, and for good reason. It is tough, and its ferny silver foliage makes a show all summer.

Silver Mound thrive in hot, sunny locations. They survive drought. They require little care. They are from the sage family, so they prefer desert conditions.

The Silver Mound grows to about two feet across, sometimes a little more. It forms a dignified, compact mound. If the season is wet, or if they are in richer soils, the Silver Mound may open up in the middle. Cut the plant back to about a third of its original height. The plant will look scruffy for a while, but will soon bush out with fresh foliage and look as good as it did in June.

To refresh old plants, dig them up and divide them when they are dormant, taking out the old woody center. Artemesia should not be planted where the soil remains wet over winter, as they are susceptible to root rot.

Silver Mound are one of the hardiest, most useful perennials we have. Use them to contrast with plants with darker foliage or blooms.