Silver Mound Artemisia: Short-Lived but Replaceable

A gardener's Silver Mound artemisia turned to mush after heavy rain, then the second plant declined in dry September with slugs present.

The Reality of 'Silver Mound'

It's a beautiful but short-lived perennial (2-3 years). It hates wet feet (rots in heavy rain) and can melt out in heat/humidity. Slugs love the tender foliage.

Better Artemisia Choices

• 'Powis Castle' – Woody, longer-lived, silvery, 2-3 ft.
• 'Silver King' / 'Silver Queen' – Spreaders, tougher.
• A. schmidtiana 'Nana' – Dwarf, tighter mound.
• A. ludoviciana 'Valerie Finnis' – Rhizomatous, aromatic.

Sources

Shady Oaks Nursery, Bluestone Perennials, White Flower Farm, Wayside Gardens, Klehm's Song Sparrow Farm, Musser Forests.

Don't fight 'Silver Mound'—replace with a tougher artemisia.