Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Silver Mound Artemisia: The Classic Silky Edging for Lavender
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Silver Mound artemisia is a longtime garden favorite: a compact, rounded cushion of very fine, thread-like leaves covered in silky hairs. The foliage has a satiny silver sheen and a texture so soft that people pat it as they walk by. At its best it is a perfectly rounded silver pillow 8 to 10 inches tall.
It holds an Award of Garden Merit, and it has earned a spot at the front of lavender rows for generations.
Silver Mound at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Artemisia schmidtiana 'Silver Mound' |
| Foliage | Soft silver, very fine and silky |
| Flowers | Insignificant |
| Size | 8 to 10 inches tall, 10 to 15 inches wide |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 3 to 7 |
| Light | Full sun |
| Scent | Light and sage-like when brushed |
| Wildlife | Deer and rabbit resistant |
An edging that matches lavender's needs
A row of Silver Mound in front of lavender is a little like putting a lace border on a quilt. The fine texture contrasts with lavender's narrow leaves and upright spikes, while the silver ties the two together. And since it wants the same hot sun and lean, dry soil, you can water and care for the bed as one.
Space the cushions about their mature width apart along the front edge, leaving a gap between them and the lavender crowns so air keeps moving. Repeated along a path, they give a formal, finished look even when the lavender is not in bloom. Lay out the spacing in the Companion Plant Planner.
Keeping the mound tight
Silver Mound's one weakness is a tendency to flop open in the center during hot, humid summers or in rich, wet soil. A little planning prevents it:
- Lean soil: skip compost and fertilizer. Rich soil makes it open up.
- Sharp drainage: wet or heavy soil leads to root and crown rot. Gravelly or sandy soil is ideal.
- Early summer shear: cut it back by about half before it flowers. It regrows into a fresh, tight dome.
- Dry site: it is poor in high humidity and wet soil, so choose your sunniest, breeziest spot.
- Spring: cut back lightly once growth starts.
It is very cold hardy in Michigan, but only where winter water drains away.
Rock gardens and containers
Its small size suits rock gardens, wall pockets and sunny containers. In a pot with a compact lavender and a gritty mix, it softens the rim and keeps the arrangement looking full.
Plug tray or bare root
Silver Mound is offered as a 72-cell plug tray, ideal for long edgings and potting up your own plants, and as a bare root plant for a single spot. See each product page for current availability.
Frequently asked questions
Why did my Silver Mound split in the middle?
Heat, humidity or rich soil. Shear it by about half in early summer and keep the soil lean.
Is it hardy in warmer zones?
It is rated for USDA zones 3 to 7 and struggles in hot, humid climates.
Can I cook with it?
No. It is an ornamental, and artemisia foliage is bitter.
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