How to Grow Silver Mound
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Silver Mound
Artemisia schmidtiana 'Silver Mound'
shrubSilver Mound is a compact, mounding ornamental shrub prized for its fine, feathery, silvery-gray foliage that creates a soft texture in garden beds. It grows as a low, dense mound and is valued primarily for foliage rather than flowers, though it produces tiny yellow flowers in late summer. This plant is excellent for adding contrast and a cooling visual effect to warm-colored plant combinations.
When should you plant Silver Mound in your zone?
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Example Silver Mound timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Silver Mound
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Silver Mound
Around Apr 18≈ 1 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Silver Mound dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-9, with best performance in zones 4-8
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Get my Silver Mound timeline →Growth Stages
Vegetative Growth
Several months to 1 yearPlant develops dense, silvery-gray foliage in a tight mound form; height reaches 12-18 inches
Reduce watering frequency as plant matures. Maintain excellent drainage. No fertilizer needed; prefers lean soil. Pinch back growth in spring to encourage bushier form if desired.
Flowering
6-8 weeksTiny, pale yellow button-like flowers appear on short stems above the foliage in late summer to early fall
Flowers are secondary to foliage appeal. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continued blooming and maintain compact form, or allow to bloom naturally.
Spring Renewal
2-3 weeksNew growth emerges in spring; plant returns to active growth after dormancy
Prune out any dead or damaged wood. Refresh mulch layer. Resume regular but infrequent watering. This is an ideal time for rejuvenation pruning if plant has become leggy.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Spray with water to dislodge; use insecticidal soap if severe. Improve air circulation.
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Improve soil drainage immediately. Reduce watering frequency. Remove affected plants if spread is extensive. Ensure excellent drainage at planting.
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Improve air circulation. Avoid overhead watering. Use sulfur dust or fungicide spray if severe.
Uses
Floral Arrangements & Dried Flowers
CraftSilver Mound foliage is excellent for fresh and dried flower arrangements, adding silvery texture and contrast to bouquets. The fine, feathery foliage dries well and retains its color for long-lasting arrangements. [source]
Garden Design & Edging
HouseholdUsed as edging, in rock gardens, and as foil plants to highlight darker-colored flowers and foliage. Creates softness and contrast in ornamental borders. [source]
Traditional Herbal Use
MedicinalArtemisia species have been used in traditional medicine systems, though Silver Mound is grown primarily as an ornamental. Related species are used for digestive and anthelmintic properties. [source]
Pollinator Support
WildlifeThe small yellow flowers provide a late-season nectar source for bees and beneficial insects. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Silver Mound is ornamental foliage; harvest foliage for arrangements by cutting stems as needed. Can be lightly pruned throughout the season to maintain shape. Cut back hard in early spring (remove 6-12 inches of growth) to rejuvenate leggy plants.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Silver Mound is named for its distinctly silvery, fine-textured foliage which can appear almost white in bright sunlight, creating a luminous quality in shaded areas of the garden.
- 🌱 The plant's silvery appearance is due to tiny hairs (trichomes) covering the leaf surface that reflect light, a adaptation that also helps reduce water loss in hot, dry conditions.
- 🌱 Artemisia species have been used for thousands of years; the genus is named after Artemisia II, a botanist and queen of Mausolus in ancient Caria.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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