Silvermound or Silvermound Artemisia is a dwarf plant with the scientific name Artemisia schmidtiana. Silvermound is the name of a specific cultivar of this plant.
Other names for this cultivar include “nana,” and a name that most people will be familiar with, “wormwood.” Although the name might allude to a burial spot that contains the precious metal, silver, silvermound is actually an herbaceous perennial.
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Features of the Silvermound
Living up to its name, the foliage of this plant is silver and green in color, and the plant grows in a mounded form. The foliage is also finely textured with a silky touch to it. The maximum height that this plant grows to is 1 foot, and it spreads around 1.5 feet.
This plant is mainly grown for its foliage, mainly because the foliage of this plant is aromatic and makes the entire space very pleasant with the smell that it has. It does grow flowers, but those flowers do not really have any significance.
The flowers are yellow in color and bloom in the summer. It is also important to note that this plant is noninvasive. It has a relatively fast growth rate and is seen to reach a good height in a very short amount of time.
Cultivation of the Silvermound
This plant needs full sun to thrive and grow at a healthy pace. Adding to that, it also needs to be watered regularly. Between the watering intervals, care should be taken that the soil dries up a little bit.
The soil for this plant should be well-drained. Soils with a high amount of fertilizer, soggy soils or lean soils are not very healthy for this plant and will either hamper or stop its growth outright.
During the first growing season of this plant, it should be watered regularly so that the roots get well established. However, care should be taken to not overwater this plant as overwatering can cause the water to stay, and that can cause the plant to rot.
Pruning can ensure that this plant grows healthy and looks fresh at all times. It is best if the pruning is done in late spring to help the plant grow dense. The silvermound plant is hardy in USDA zones 3 to 9.
Other companion plants for this plant include Thrift (Armeria), Salvia (Salvia), California Buckwheat (Eriogonum), Phlox (Phlox) and Coneflower (Echinacea). This plant looks best in gardens that are either cottage style or rustic.
In addition to that, this plant is deer resistant and drought tolerant. It can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings, or division.
This plant should not be kept in part shade since it can then be at risk of developing foliar diseases. Also, this plant can best be put to use in borders, for edging, as ground cover or for mass planting.
Types of Silvermound
This plant has many varieties, and the most prominent ones are listed below and explained.
Coastal Sagebrush
This variety is also known as “Canyon Gray.” The scientific name of this variety is “Artemisia californica.” It typically grows to a height of 2 to 5 feet and spreads 10 feet. Its foliage is grayish silver in color, and it is hardy in USDA zones 9 and 10.
This plant has mainly two growth forms and grows leaves that have a strong aroma. In the winter and spring seasons, this plant grows long and feathery leaves since there is ample amount of water available.
However, in the summer season, when the weather is dry, this plant grows leaves that are wilt. In the case of a long season of drought, the leaves of this plant may shed entirely. The flowers of this variety look like disc florets and are green in color.
They show up from August to December, which is the flowering season for this variety. In addition to that, this plant is native to the coastal habitats of California and Baja California. It is part of the Asteraceae family.
Mugwort
The scientific name for Mugwort is “Artemisia vulgaris.” Other common names for this plant include felon herb and old man’s plant. Mugwort gives off a mint-like smell and is mainly used for the purpose of aromatherapy.
Hardy in USDA zones 3 to 9, this plant grows to a height of 2 to 4 feet on average in an upright or erect form, and the flowering season for this plant is mid to late summer. The flowers are yellow in color.
The leaves of this plant are simply lobed and are dark green in color. It is imperative to know that this plant is poisonous if taken in large doses. Excessive skin contact can also cause dermatitis in some people who are prone to allergic reactions.
Pregnant women should be extremely careful when using this plant for any purpose since it can cause the uterus to contract and is also not good for the health of the baby.
In addition to that, this plant is known to attract all sorts of wildlife. Soil that is sandy, loamy or clayey and with an acidic or neutral pH is ideal for the growth of this plant.
It is a drought-tolerant plant. The main usage of this plant is for medicinal purposes. Mainly, it is used for digestive issues, menstrual issues, and for the treatment of worms. It is mostly found on roadsides, in yards, and meadows.
‘Powis Castle’ Artemisia
This variety has grayish silver-colored foliage. It is a drought-tolerant perennial that is hardy in USDA zones 4 to 9 and needs full sun in order to grow to be a healthy plant. It is a relatively low maintenance plant that grows to a height of 30 inches tall.
It spreads approximately 36 inches wide. This plant needs well-drained soil in order to grow. However, the soil does not need to be very fertile, owing to the fact that this is a low maintenance variety. In addition to that, this plant is also deer resistant.
The flowers of this variety are very fragrant. The ideal regions for the growth of this plant are anywhere in the US, Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, West, Southwest, and Pacific Northwest.
It is best if it is planted in spring or summer, as that can ensure the healthy growth of this plant. When planting this variety, care should be taken to leave a space of 36 inches between each plant so as to ensure that there is enough space for the roots to grow and for air circulation, too.
Pruning is necessary for this plant to make sure that it looks fresh. Once the plant grows a bit, it should be pruned back to a height of 6 inches.
This plant received the Award of Garden Merit in 1993. It looks best in gravel gardens, rock gardens, and traditional gardens. It takes approximately 5 to 10 years for this plant to grow to its maximum height.
‘Silver King’ Artemisia
This is a fast-growing variety characterized by silver-colored leaves that have a strong fragrance. The leaves are narrow and serrated. Flowers show up in the midsummer season which is the flowering season for this plant.
The flowers are grayish-white in color and show up in loose patches. The fruit and the flowers of this variety are not ornamentally significant.
Full sun or partial shade is ideal for the growth of this plant. It is best if the soil is normal, sandy, or clayey. The soil can also be neutral, alkaline, or acidic. It is a relatively medium maintenance plant that does not have elaborate water requirements.
However, care should be taken not to overwater the plant as that can cause the plant to rot. Silver king grows to a height of 29 to 35 inches and spreads 23 to 29 inches. It should be grown in an area where there is little to no foot traffic to ensure that this plant can grow undisturbed.
Adding to that, this plant is hardy in USDA zones 4 to 9. It is invasive and can best be put to use for mass planting, general garden use, and as ground cover. It is estimated that under healthy growth conditions, this plant lives for around 10 years. It is a drought-tolerant variety.
‘Silver Brocade’ Artemisia
Another common name for this variety is Dusty Miller. This plant has a mounding growth habit and is hardy in USDA zones 3 to 8. It is a deer-resistant variety that is good for containers and as groundcover.
In addition to that, this plant requires full sun in order to grow healthy. It grows to a height of 6 to 12 inches and spreads 12 to 29 inches wide.
The bloom time for this plant is the summer season, and it has a medium growth rate. The soil in which this variety is grown should be sandy or dry, and well-drained, too. Care should be taken that the water does not stand still on the soil as that can cause a lot of problems for the plant.
This plant can tolerate freezing temperatures really well. The leaves of this variety are uniquely shaped and have rounded lobes. They give off a very pleasant and strong aroma.
When planting, care should be taken to leave a space of 20 inches between consecutive Silver Brocade plants so that there is enough space for the roots to grow and for air circulation, too.
‘Seafoam’ Artemisia
This is a low growing plant that has whitish-silver colored foliage. It is a drought-tolerant perennial that has seafoam like leaves, and that is where the plant gets its unique name from.
It grows to a height of approximately 1 foot and spreads 2 feet. It is hardy in USDA zones 4 to 9. Full sun is ideal for this plant to grow to its maximum height.
Seafoam Artemisia is drought-tolerant and is resistant to deer. It is a low maintenance plant that is relatively easy to grow. It acts as a great groundcover and can add a lovely texture to gardens.
The ideal regions for this plant are the West, Southwest, Hot Deserts, Pacific Northwest, and Coastal California. Planting this variety in the spring or summer season is ideal as that can ensure that it grows to be healthy. To ensure that this plant looks fresh and healthy, regular trimming should be done.
This plant sprouts yellow-colored flowers, and its flower spikes should be trimmed right after the flowering season since this variety is mainly grown for its leaves.
Apart from that, this plant should be watered every month in a way that there is 1 inch of water on the soil approximately. However, irrigation is not really required. This variety can grow well in poor soil, too.
Tarragon
The scientific name of this variety is Artemisia dracunculus. It is more commonly referred to as Tarragon or French Tarragon. It belongs to the Asteraceae family and is hardy in USDA zones 5 to 8.
This variety is native to Europe and Asia. The most common use of this plant is as a culinary herb. It grows to a height of approximately 2 feet and spreads around 1 foot and has a medium growth rate.
Sandy or loamy soils that are well-drained are ideal for the growth of this plant. It is a drought-tolerant variety that needs full sun in order to grow healthy. The blooms of this plant are yellowish-white in color and show up from July to August, which is the blooming season for this plant.
It is a medium maintenance plant that does not have very elaborate water requirements. French Tarragon can get root rot if the soil is very moist.
Therefore, planting Tarragon in soil that has a high moisture content is not advisable as it can lead to the death of the plant. It is mainly grown in herb gardens, but can also be grown in containers or window boxes.
Southernwood
Native to southern Europe, The scientific name for this variety is Artemisia abrotanum. The foliage of this plant is light green in color and very aromatic. It has an upright growing habit and typically grows to a height of 2 to 4 feet and spreads 2 to 3 feet.
It is generally a pest-free variety that is drought-tolerant. The flower color of this variety is yellowish-white and the blooming season for this plant is from late summer to fall.
Full sun or partial shade is ideal for the growth of this plant. Well-drained soil ensures that Southernwood grows to become healthy. It is hardy in USDA zones 4 to 8, and the heat zones for this variety are 5 to 8.
This plant is known to attract butterflies. This plant is mainly grown for its foliage, and it looks best in beds, borders, hedges, and pathways. The most ideal propagation method for this variety is through seeds or wood cuttings.
The silvermound plant is one with many varieties. It is definitely a top pick for most people as it can light up any garden with its aromatic and beautiful foliage.