Artemisia schmidtiana Nana

Description

Artemisia schmidtiana ‘Nana’ – dwarf silver mound

Botanical name: Artemisia schmidtiana ‘Nana’
Common names: Dwarf silver mound, angel’s hair
Family: Asteraceae (daisy family)
Plant type: Semi-evergreen perennial
Habit: Low, neat, mound-forming
Pot size: 1 litre pot
Eventual size: Approx. 10–15cm tall × 30cm spread
Foliage: Soft, feathery, filigree silver-grey foliage; grown for its foliage
Flowers: Insignificant small yellowish flowers in summer; grown for foliage, not flowers
Scent: Aromatic foliage
Aspect / light: Full sun
Soil: Sharply drained; poor, low fertility; any pH; dislikes wet
Hardiness: RHS H5 (hardy, to about −15°C); USDA zones 3–7
Exposure: Open, hot, dry, sunny
Native range: Japan
Toxicity / pet & child safety: Low toxicity; the aromatic foliage may irritate sensitive skin and is not for eating

Artemisia schmidtiana ‘Nana’, dwarf silver mound, is grown for its soft, feathery silver-grey filigree foliage forming a neat, tactile dome. Loving hot, dry sun and sharp drainage, it makes beautiful edging for sunny borders and gravel.

GardenAdvice notes

A low, mound-forming perennial grown purely for its exquisite silver filigree foliage, dwarf silver mound forms a soft, felted cushion that is lovely to touch and superb for contrast among stronger colours. It thrives in hot, dry, poor conditions and sharp drainage, where it stays neat and compact.

Growing & planting

Plant in spring in full sun in sharply drained, poor soil — rich or damp ground makes it grow soft and flop open in the middle. It is ideal for edging, gravel gardens, rockeries and the front of hot, sunny borders. Space about 30cm apart.

Care & maintenance

Low-maintenance but benefits from a hard trim: shear it back by half in early summer, before or as it tries to flower, to keep the cushion tight and prevent it splitting open. Water only while establishing, avoid feeding, and keep it dry over winter. Replace tired old plants from cuttings.

Propagation

• Cuttings: Take softwood cuttings in early summer, which root readily.
• Division: Divide in spring, though cuttings are often more reliable.

Pests & diseases

Generally trouble-free. The main problems are rot and flopping open in wet or rich soil; sharp drainage and a hard summer trim prevent this. Little troubled by pests.

Uses in the garden

Ideal for edging sunny borders and paths, gravel and Mediterranean-style gardens, rockeries and the front of hot, dry beds, where its silver foliage sets off brighter flowers beautifully.

Wildlife value

Grown for foliage rather than flowers, its wildlife value is limited, though the silvery cushion offers ground-level shelter for small invertebrates.

Toxicity & safety

Artemisias have a low level of toxicity: the aromatic foliage may irritate sensitive skin and is not intended for eating. Wear gloves if your skin is sensitive when trimming.

GardenAdvice tip

The secret to keeping silver mound looking good is a firm haircut in early summer — left to flower and grow on, it tends to split open and go bare in the middle by midsummer. Shear it back by about half as the flower stems appear and it will re-form into a tight, fresh silver cushion.

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