Artemisia Silver Queen

Flopping (toppling) of stems is the most common problem and usually has one of two causes:

1. Too little sun: The plant stretches for light and the stems weaken.
2. Soil too rich/wet: In over-fertilized ground, it grows too fast and the tissues aren't strong enough.

The solution is transplanting to a sunnier and poorer site or a radical cutback in mid-summer.

In the first weeks after planting, water regularly so the plant roots well. The soil should be slightly moist but never boggy.

Once the plant is fully established (usually from the second year onwards), it is highly drought-resistant and requires watering only during extremely long heatwaves without rain. Frequent watering actually harms the adult plant.

As with most perennials, the ideal time for planting is spring (April to May), when there is no longer a risk of severe frosts, or early autumn (September to October).

If you bought a container-grown seedling in summer, you can plant it then too, but you must pay closer attention to watering in the first weeks before it roots. If ground frosts threaten, let the seedling acclimate for a few days in a protected spot outside before putting it in the ground.

This mugwort is fully frost-hardy (often down to -34 °C). Winter won't hurt it with frost, but with dampness.

The biggest danger is winter wetness in heavy soils, which can cause root rot. If you have well-drained soil, it needs no winter protection. In damper regions, you can mound a little dry leaves or brushwood around the 'neck' of the plant, but it isn't essential.

We do not recommend it. Fertilizing is counterproductive for mugwort. Excess nitrogen leads to:

1. Loss of the intense silver color (leaves turn green).
2. Soft and leggy growth that breaks and flops over.
3. Reduction in aroma.

Let it grow "hungry", it will be more beautiful and sturdier.

This plant is a sun lover. Choose a location with these parameters:

• Full sun: It needs this for its silvery coloring and compact growth.
• Well-drained soil: It does not tolerate waterlogging. Rock gardens, gravel beds, or dry walls are ideal.
• Plenty of space: Count on it spreading in width over time.

Thanks to its aromatic essential oils, mugwort is very resistant to pests. Most insects, including aphids, avoid it (conversely, it can protect surrounding plants).

Regarding diseases, it can suffer from:

• Root rot: caused by waterlogging.
• Rust (fungal disease): If it is in a spot that is too humid without air flow. It manifests as brown spots on the leaves.

Pruning is important for maintaining a nice shape:

• Spring pruning: In spring (March/April), cut the whole plant down low above the ground (approx. 5–10 cm) so it sprouts with new, dense shoots.
• Summer pruning (optional): If the plant starts to "sprawl" in summer or doesn't look nice after flowering, you can safely cut it back by half. It will quickly sprout silver leaves again.

Quite the opposite, Artemisia ludoviciana thrives in poorer, sandy-loam to stony soil.

• If you have heavy clay soil in your garden, it is necessary to mix in sand or fine gravel as drainage when planting.
• Soil that is too nutritious and humus-rich causes the plant to grow too vigorously, become leggy, and then unsightly "topple" to the ground.

Yes, Artemisia ludoviciana spreads via underground rhizomes. The variety 'Silver Queen' is slightly less aggressive than the species, but still tends to spread.

Tip for growers: If you have a small garden, we recommend planting the mugwort in a larger pot sunk into the ground (without a bottom), or using a root barrier around the root ball to keep it in its designated place.

Mugwort 'Silver Queen' is excellent for floral arrangements:

• Fresh: It lasts 5 to 7 days in a vase, perfectly complementing colorful annuals.
• Dried: It is one of the best plants for drying. Harvest it at the beginning of flowering or just before, tie into bundles, and dry hanging "upside down" in the shade and a draft. It keeps its silver color even after drying.

The simplest way is clump division.

1. The best time is spring (when it starts sprouting) or autumn.
2. Dig off part of the clump including roots with a spade.
3. Divide it into smaller parts (each must have roots and shoots).
4. Plant these new seedlings immediately in the new location and water.

Mugworts contain the substance thujone, which can be toxic in large quantities. However, the plant is extremely bitter, which usually deters children and animals from consuming large amounts.

• For animals: If a dog or cat were to eat a large amount, digestive problems or vomiting may occur. However, it is not fatally poisonous like yew or monkshood.
• It is safe to touch, but wash your hands after working with the plant if you don't want to transfer the bitter taste to your mouth.

Although related to wormwood (absinthe) or tarragon, Artemisia ludoviciana is not used in ordinary cooking. It is very bitter.

Traditionally, it was used by Native Americans as smudge sticks (so-called white sage/mugwort) in ceremonies to cleanse a space. So you can use dried bundles to scent your home, but for consumption, we recommend other types of herbs instead.

Thanks to its silver color, it acts as a great "calming" element in the bed. It looks excellent with:

• Drought-loving plants: Lavender, salvias, lamb's ear.
• Color contrasts: Dark pink Coneflowers (Echinacea), blue Larkspurs or purple Asters.
• Ornamental grasses: Feather grass or Fescue.
• Roses: Traditionally planted with roses, where its silver color highlights the flower color and the aroma reportedly repels aphids.

Flowers are not the main attraction of this plant. It blooms in summer (July–August) with tiny, inconspicuous flower heads of yellowish to gray color.

Many gardeners actually remove the flowers before they bloom to encourage the growth of beautiful silver leaves and prevent the plant from producing seeds and potentially self-seeding unwantedly.