Botanical Name: Artemisia ludoviciana albula
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Common Name: Silver King Artemisia  
Plant photo of: Artemisia ludoviciana albula
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Water Saving Tip:

Change spray sprinklers to low-flow bubbler or drip systems. Shrubs and trees are ideal candidates for this type of irrigation because the water is applied directly to the root zones.

  • Anatomy

  • Culture

  • Design

Plant Type

Perennial

 

Height Range

1-3'

 

Flower Color

Yellow

 

Flower Season

Summer

 

Leaf Color

Grey Green, Grey, Silver, White

 

Bark Color

Grey

 

Fruit Color

n/a

 

Fruit Season

n/a

Sun

Full

 

Water

Low, Medium

 

Growth Rate

Fast

 

Soil Type

Sandy, Clay, Loam, Rocky, Unparticular

 

Soil Condition

Poor, Well-drained, Dry

 

Soil pH

Neutral

 

Adverse Factors

Allergenic, Invasive

Design Styles

Meadow, Mediterranean, Ranch

 

Accenting Features

Fragrance, Unusual Foliage

 

Seasonal Interest

Summer

 

Location Uses

Background, Perennial Border, Walls / Fences, With Rocks

 

Special Uses

Container, Cut Flowers, Erosion Control, Mass Planting, Naturalizing

 

Attracts Wildlife

n/a

Information by: Stephanie Duer
Photographer:

  • Description

  • Notes

'Silver King' typically forms a spreading clump of generally erect, non-woody stems to 24 to 36 inches tall and wide. Foliage is aromatic when bruised. Species is also commonly called western mugwort or white sage. This plant is most commonly sold in the US as a cultivar but the Royal Horticultural Society lists the correct name as Artemisia ludoviciana subsp. mexicana var. albula and indicates that Silver King is a common name. By whatever name, it had lovely foliage that provides a great seasonal bridge and is fabulous cut fresh or dried. SILVER KING may spread somewhat aggressively in the garden by rhizomes, though it appears to be more restrained than the species; if you're concerned, try it in containers.
Best grown in poor to moderately fertile, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun. Excellent soil drainage is essential for growing this plant and it does poorly in moist to wet soils as plants are susceptible to root rot. Plant stems tend to flop in the summer, if over-fertilized, over-watered, or receive too little sunlight. Prune plants in early spring to tidy, being careful to leave sufficient numbers of live buds on each stem to facilitate bushy growth. Never prune stems to the ground. Foliage may also be lightly sheared in summer to shape, but avoid pruning in fall.