Add soft texture and brilliant silver color to your landscape with Artemisia 'Silver Mound' (Artemisia schmidtiana 'Silver Mound'), a beloved perennial prized for its finely divided, silky silver foliage and naturally rounded habit. This low-growing, drought-tolerant plant forms a dense mound that resembles a soft silver cushion, making it an outstanding choice for borders, rock gardens, pathways, containers, and xeriscape landscapes.

Unlike flowering perennials grown for blooms, Silver Mound Artemisia is valued for its striking foliage, which provides season-long contrast against colorful flowers and darker green plants. Its aromatic leaves, excellent heat tolerance, and deer and rabbit resistance make it one of the easiest low-maintenance perennials for sunny gardens.

Perfect for Mediterranean gardens, cottage gardens, and modern landscapes, Silver Mound delivers year-round texture with very little maintenance.

Key Features

• Soft silvery foliage all season
• Compact mounding growth habit
• Excellent drought tolerance
• Deer and rabbit resistant
• Aromatic foliage
• Low-maintenance perennial
• Outstanding border plant
• Perfect for rock gardens
• Heat tolerant
• Beautiful foliage contrast plant

Plant Details

Botanical Name: Artemisia schmidtiana 'Silver Mound'

Common Name: Silver Mound Wormwood

Plant Type: Herbaceous Perennial

Foliage Color: Silvery Gray

Flower Color: Insignificant Yellowish Flowers

Bloom Season: Summer (grown primarily for foliage)

Mature Height: 8–12 Inches

Spread: 12–18 Inches

Growth Habit: Compact, Mounding

Light Requirements: Full Sun

Water Needs: Low

Soil Requirements: Well-Drained Sandy, Gravelly, or Average Soil

Hardiness Zones: USDA 3–7 (some references list Zones 4–8 depending on climate)

Characteristics: Aromatic Foliage, Deer Resistant, Rabbit Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Low Maintenance, Heat Tolerant

Garden Uses

Perfect for:

• Rock gardens
• Xeriscapes
• Mediterranean gardens
• Cottage gardens
• Border edging
• Walkways
• Containers
• Gravel gardens
• Mass plantings
• Low-water landscapes

Planting Partners

Pairs beautifully with:

• Lavender
• Salvia
• Nepeta (Catmint)
• Echinacea
• Sedum
• Coreopsis
• Dianthus
• Russian Sage
• Yarrow (Achillea)
• Blue Fescue

Care Tips

• Plant in full sun for the brightest silver foliage.
• Prefers well-drained soil and dislikes wet conditions.
• Water regularly during establishment.
• Once established, water only during prolonged dry periods.
• Trim lightly in early spring to maintain a compact mound.
• Avoid rich soil and excessive fertilizer, which can cause floppy growth.
• Good air circulation helps maintain healthy foliage.