How to Grow Artemisia Silver Mound

Artemisia Silver Mound

Artemisia schmidtiana 'Silver Mound'

shrub

Artemisia Silver Mound is a compact, mounding ornamental shrub prized for its finely textured, silvery-gray foliage that forms a dense, dome-shaped plant. It produces inconspicuous small yellow flowers in late summer, but is grown primarily for its striking metallic foliage that adds contrast and visual interest to gardens. This hardy perennial is low-maintenance and drought-tolerant once established.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily; partial sun acceptable but reduces foliage density

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Water: Low water needs once established; water moderately during first growing season. Prefers dry conditions; drought-tolerant. Overwatering and poor drainage are main causes of failure. Water only when soil is completely dry.

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Spacing: 18 inches

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Days to maturity: Reaches mature size in 12-18 months

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Planting depth: Plant at same depth as root ball; do not bury crown

Soil

Type: Well-draining sandy or gravelly soil; tolerates poor soil

pH: 6.0-7.5

Amendments:

Perlite or coarse sand for drainage Gravel mulch to improve air circulation around base

Growing Zones

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Thrives in zones 3-9, with best performance in zones 4-7

3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a

Growth Stages

Establishment

4-8 weeks

Young transplant establishing root system with initial silvery-green foliage appearing soft and wispy

Water moderately and consistently to establish roots. Protect from extreme heat and excessive moisture. Avoid transplanting shock by planting in spring or early fall.

Vegetative Growth

6-12 months

Plant develops dense, silvery mounding form with finely divided, feathery foliage reaching typical compact size

Allow soil to dry between waterings. Prune lightly in spring to maintain compact mound shape and encourage bushiness. Avoid overhead watering.

Flowering

6-8 weeks in late summer to early fall

Small, inconspicuous pale yellow button-like flowers appear on terminal spikes amid the silvery foliage in late summer

Deadhead spent flowers to maintain appearance and encourage continued leaf production, though flowering is not the main attraction

Dormancy/Winter

3-4 months depending on zone

Foliage may take on brown or bronze tones in winter; plant appears dormant but retains its mounded form

Do not water during dormancy. Provide winter drainage; mulch only lightly or avoid mulching to prevent moisture accumulation. Cut back dead growth in early spring.

Renewal

3-4 weeks

In early spring, new silvery foliage emerges from the base and sides of the plant

Cut back previous year's dead or brown growth to 2-4 inches from ground to rejuvenate plant and encourage dense new growth. This is essential maintenance.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Salvia Lavender Russian Sage Catmint Dusty Miller Sedum Santolina Lamb's Ear Purple Coneflower Black-eyed Susan

Avoid planting near:

Hostas Hydrangeas Ferns Shade-loving plants requiring moist soil Humidity-loving plants

Common Pests

Increase air circulation and humidity with periodic misting; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil if severe. Avoid overwatering.
Improve air circulation, reduce humidity, avoid wetting foliage. Apply sulfur dust or fungicidal spray if needed.
Ensure excellent drainage and avoid overwatering. Do not mulch heavily. Remove affected plants if widespread infection occurs.
and
Generally tolerate minor feeding. Handpick if populations are high. Use row covers on young plants.

Uses

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Ornamental foliage accent

Household

The striking silvery-gray finely textured foliage serves as an excellent contrast plant in gardens, borders, and containers, brightening dark corners and complementing purple, blue, and pink flowering plants. [source]

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Fresh and dried arrangements

Craft

The feathery, silvery foliage is valued in fresh flower arrangements and dried arrangements, maintaining its color and form for months when dried. [source]

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Traditional herbal uses

Medicinal

Like other artemisia species, it has been used in traditional medicine systems, though Artemisia schmidtiana is primarily grown ornamentally. Some sources indicate traditional use for digestive or parasitic applications. [source]

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Pollinator support

Wildlife

The small flowers attract beneficial insects, pollinators, and other beneficial garden fauna despite being inconspicuous. [source]

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Flavoring and tea

Culinary

Like other artemisia species, the foliage has a faint aromatic, slightly bitter quality and can be used to infuse teas or as a culinary flavoring, though it is less commonly used culinarily than other artemisia varieties. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Artemisia Silver Mound is not harvested for crop; instead, prune as needed for shape and maintenance. Pinch back new growth in spring to encourage bushiness. Cut back severely in early spring (to 2-4 inches) every 2-3 years to rejuvenate. Deadhead flower spikes to maintain foliage focus.

Fun Facts

🌱 Artemisia Silver Mound was developed as a compact cultivar selection and is sometimes called 'Nana' in horticultural literature, making it smaller than the species Artemisia schmidtiana.
🌱 The silvery color of the foliage comes from tiny hair-like structures (trichomes) on the leaf surface that reflect light, serving as a natural adaptation to hot, sunny, dry climates.
🌱 This plant is a member of the Asteraceae family (daisy family) and is related to common culinary and medicinal artemisias like wormwood and tarragon, though it is rarely used for those purposes.

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