Artemisia Silver Queen

Description

Artemisia ludoviciana ‘Silver Queen’ – white sage

Botanical name: Artemisia ludoviciana ‘Silver Queen’
Common names: Artemisia, wormwood
Family: Asteraceae (daisy family)
Plant type: Semi-evergreen aromatic perennial (or sub-shrub)
Habit: Mound-forming and spreading
Pot size: 2–3 litre pot
Eventual size: Approx. 60–75cm tall × spreading
Foliage: Lance-shaped, aromatic, silvery-white, felted leaves on upright stems
Flowers: Insignificant small yellowish flowers; grown entirely for its silver foliage
Scent: Aromatic foliage
Aspect / light: Full sun
Soil: Sharply drained; poor, dry; dislikes wet; any pH
Hardiness: RHS H7 (very hardy, below −20°C); USDA zones 4–9
Exposure: Open, hot, dry, sunny
Native range: Garden form; the genus is native to the northern hemisphere
Toxicity / pet & child safety: Generally considered non-toxic; grown as an aromatic silver foliage plant

Artemisia ‘Silver Queen’ is a striking silver foliage perennial with lance-shaped, silvery-white felted leaves on upright stems. Spreading and drought-tolerant, it lights up hot, dry, sunny borders and gravel.

GardenAdvice notes

Grown entirely for its beautiful, filigree silver foliage, this artemisia forms an aromatic spreading mat of feathery silver-grey leaves that make a superb foil for brighter flowers and darker foliage. A classic sun-lover, it thrives on hot, dry, sharply drained soils and brings a cool, silvery, Mediterranean shimmer to a sunny border.

Growing & planting

Plant in spring in sharply drained, poor, dry soil in full sun — it thrives on hot, dry sites and dislikes rich, wet, heavy ground, which causes it to flop and rot. Improve heavy soil with plenty of grit. Ideal for gravel, Mediterranean-style and silver plantings. Space appropriately for its size.

Care & maintenance

Low-maintenance. Trim it back in spring to keep it neat, bushy and well-clothed, cutting into the previous year’s growth but avoiding the very oldest, bare wood. Removing the insignificant flowers keeps the focus on the foliage. Water only while establishing; keep it dry, especially over winter. It spreads by runners, so lift and reduce it if it exceeds its space.

Propagation

• Cuttings: Take softwood or semi-ripe cuttings in summer.
• Division: Lift and divide the spreading clumps in spring.

Pests & diseases

Generally trouble-free in a hot, dry, well-drained spot. Its main enemy is wet, heavy soil, which causes rot and floppy growth. It can spread enthusiastically by runners. Otherwise little troubled by pests.

Uses in the garden

Superb in gravel, Mediterranean-style and silver or white borders, hot dry sites and sunny banks, where its filigree silver foliage sets off brighter flowers and darker leaves beautifully and covers ground.

Wildlife value

The silver foliage is generally left alone by browsing animals, and the plant provides shelter for insects among its dense growth.

Toxicity & safety

Artemisia is generally regarded as non-toxic and is grown as an aromatic silver foliage plant.

GardenAdvice tip

‘Silver Queen’ has broader, more upright, silvery-white leaves than the ferny artemisias, making a bright, cool contrast in a sunny border. It does spread by underground runners, so it’s excellent as silver groundcover but can wander — lift and reduce it if needed. Give it full sun and sharp drainage, and cut it back in spring to keep the fresh, bright foliage coming.

Our plants are guaranteed for 24 months for more details Click Here