Quicksilver Artemisia

Host: Gary Bachman, Ornamental Horticulture Specialist

Transcription:

I think Artemisia is one of the best supporting cast members for our gardens today on Southern Gardening.

Southern Gardening with Gary Bachman is produced by the Mississippi State University Extension Service.

Often called Dusty Miller, Artemisia has soft fuzzy grey foliage that makes the leaves look duty silver. These plants do have small white flowers that are insignificant. I’ve recently found a new, and I think very useful variety, called Quicksilver. What I really like is that quicksilver is only going to grow about ten inches tall with a twenty-four inch spread. What a great choice for uses like round cover or border location.

I like growing in a container where the spreading shoots can start to sprawl over the container edge. The silvery color of the foliage seems to intensify and enhance the colors of the other garden plants. I really like paring Artemisia with anything purple. Just something about the silver and purple together that makes a winning landscape combo. Try combining the feathery silver foliage with the purple leaved alter mantherea like the Mississippi medallion winner, Little Ruby, or the newer purple prints.

All that Artemisia requires is full fun and a well-drained bed. These plants are perineal all across Mississippi. And a light spring pruning to remove woody stems with ensure a tight growing plant during the summer season. So, go ahead and give Artemisia a go in your landscape. I bet you’ll always have silver growing with the green from now on.

Until next time, I am horticulturist Gary Bachman enjoying our Southern Gardening.

Southern Gardening with Gary Bachman is produced by the Mississippi State University Extension Service.