Silver Mound

Artemisia schmidtiana

Nature Hills Nursery

Feathery Silver Foliage Creates Luminous Garden Accents in Sun-Baked Spots
Thrives in Zones 3-9
Grows 1 ft Tall and Wide
Deer Resistant, Disease Resistant, Drought Tolerant
Top Pick for Mass Planting in Cottage Gardens

$16⁹⁹

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Plant Size

Quart Container #1 Container

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Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: Give this plant full sun, meaning at least 6 hours of direct light daily. While it can survive in partial shade, it often gets "leggy" and flops open in the center if it doesn't get enough intensity.
Soil: Excellent drainage is the most critical factor for Silver Mound. It actually prefers "poor" or sandy soil over rich, fertile earth; if the soil is too heavy or nutrient-dense, the tight mound will loosen and split apart.

Watering Requirements

When you first plant Silver Mound, water it thoroughly and keep the soil slightly moist for the first few weeks to help the roots settle. Once established, this is one of the most drought-tolerant plants you can own. In fact, you should be more careful about overwatering than underwatering. If you water too frequently or let it sit in wet soil, the foliage will yellow and the roots will rot.

Pruning Tips

Think of pruning Silver Mound like a necessary haircut to keep it from having a "bad hair day" in the humid summer. In early spring, trim back any dead winter growth. The most important cut happens in mid-summer (usually July) when the mound might start to look loose or open up in the center: shear the whole plant back by half. This forces fresh, tight growth and prevents the plant from splitting open like a donut.

Fertilizer Needs

You generally should skip fertilizing this plant. Silver Mound thrives on neglect and actually performs worse when pampered with plant food. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers specifically, as they will cause the stems to grow too fast and weak, ruining that perfect, compact cushion shape you bought it for.

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Sweet, Soft, Silky, and Silver

Silky Soft Foliage
Rabbit & Deer Resistant
Loves Sun and Drier Soil

The Artemisia 'Silver Mound', Artemisia schmidtiana, is a wonderful soft, silky, silver-gray accent that is useful in many gardens.

'Silver Mound' is a non-spreader and produces small yellow flowers. The foliage has a wonderful aroma.

'Silver Mound' needs full sun and will grow well in average, well-drained soil. It well do best in low humid areas but is drought tolerant.

Its excellent foliage goes great in front of borders to set your garden apart from the rest.

Try 'Silver Mound' with Echinacea 'Purple Coneflower' or Rudbeckia 'Black Eyed Susan' to add interest in your garden or to accent fresh or dried flower arrangements.

Use Silver Mound as edging, groundcover, or in containers. Divide every 2 or 3 years in the early spring or fall to maintain the plants vigor.

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Growing Zones 3-9

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Frequently Asked Questions

What planting zone is Silver Mound hardy in?

Silver Mound (Artemisia schmidtiana) is hardy in USDA zones 4-8. This drought-tolerant perennial thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, performing best in areas with low humidity. Divide every 2-3 years in early spring or fall to maintain vigor.

What is the mature size of Silver Mound Artemisia?

Silver Mound Artemisia typically reaches 8-12 inches tall and spreads 12-18 inches wide, forming a compact, cushion-like mound. This low-growing perennial maintains its neat shape without spreading aggressively. Divide every 2-3 years in spring or fall to keep plants vigorous and compact, available at naturehills.com.

How do I care for Silver Mound in the fall, including cutting back?

Silver Mound requires minimal fall care since it's naturally drought tolerant and hardy. Cut back the silvery foliage to 2-3 inches after the first hard frost to maintain a tidy appearance. Fall is also an ideal time to divide established plants every 2-3 years to keep them vigorous.

Does Silver Mound come back every year, and is it perennial or semi-evergreen?

Silver Mound is a hardy perennial that returns reliably each year with its signature silvery foliage. The plant maintains its attractive gray-green color through most seasons, though it may die back in harsh winters. Divide every 2-3 years in early spring or fall to keep it vigorous and maintain that perfect mounded shape.

What are the general care requirements for Silver Mound, like watering and sun exposure?

Silver Mound thrives in full sun with well-drained, average soil and tolerates drought once established. Water sparingly as it prefers drier conditions and performs best in low humidity areas. Divide every 2-3 years in early spring or fall to maintain vigor, available at naturehills.com.

How do I overwinter Silver Mound, including mulching after frost?

Silver Mound is naturally cold hardy and requires minimal winter protection in most zones. After the first hard frost kills back the foliage, cut stems to 2-3 inches above ground level. Apply 2-3 inches of mulch around the base to protect the crown from freeze-thaw cycles.