Artemisia ludoviciana albula

Sunset

Artemisia ludoviciana albula, photo courtesy of Linda Lamb Peters

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Zones 1-24

Full

Moderate, Minimal

Perennials

ARTEMISIA

Several species are valuable for interesting leaf patterns and silvery gray or white aromatic foliage (flowers are generally insignificant). Most kinds are excellent in mixed borders, where their white or silvery leaves soften harsh reds and oranges and blend beautifully with blues, lavenders, and pinks. Provide good drainage. Cut nonwoody-stemmed perennials to ground in late fall to rejuvenate; prune back woody perennials and shrubs (into older wood if necessary) before first flush of spring growth. Divide perennials in spring or fall; propagate shrubs by cuttings.

Artemisia ludoviciana albula

Native to desert Southwest and mountains. Grows 4 ft. tall and half as wide, withslender, spreading branches and silvery white leaves. Lowerleaves have three to five lobes; upper ones are narrow and unlobed. Spreads rapidly by rhizomes. Cut foliage is useful in arrangements. ‘Silver King’ is compact, to about 3 ft. ‘Valerie Finnis’ is even more compact,to 1 1/2–2 ft. tall, with broader, nearly white leaves slightly lobed toward the tip.