Silver Brocade Wormwood

Silver Brocade Wormwood (Artemisia stelleriana 'Silver Brocade')

Silver Brocade Wormwood (Artemisia stelleriana 'Silver Brocade') is a hardy, drought-tolerant perennial admired for its finely textured, silver-white foliage that brightens garden spaces year-round. Compact and low-growing, this variety is perfect for creating visual contrast in sunny borders, rock gardens, and coastal landscapes. Its soft, velvety leaves provide exceptional color and texture, offering a cooling effect in garden designs and pairing beautifully with both bold and pastel companions.

Distinctive Features

'Silver Brocade' forms dense, spreading mats of deeply lobed, silver-white leaves that maintain their brilliant color even through hot summers. Although it produces small, inconspicuous yellowish flowers in late summer, this variety is grown primarily for its showy foliage. Mature plants typically reach 6 to 12 inches tall and spread 12 to 18 inches wide, making it an excellent ground-hugging accent or filler plant.

Growing Conditions

• Sun Exposure: Full sun is best for maintaining vibrant foliage and compact growth.
• Soil: Prefers well-drained, sandy or gritty soil; thrives in poor, dry soils where many plants struggle.
• Water: Low; highly drought-tolerant once established.
• Humidity: Performs well in dry climates; ensure good airflow in humid areas to prevent rot.
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-8, offering exceptional cold tolerance and year-round landscape value.

Ideal Uses

• Rock Gardens: Natural choice for rocky, well-drained settings.
• Groundcover: Forms a silvery carpet that suppresses weeds and retains soil moisture.
• Border Edging: Provides a clean, bright edge along walkways and garden beds.
• Coastal Gardens: Tolerant of salt spray and sandy soils, perfect for seaside landscapes.
• Containers: Stunning foliage accent in mixed pots and troughs.

Low Maintenance Care

Silver Brocade Wormwood is a tough, easy-care plant that thrives with minimal attention once established, particularly in hot, dry, and poor soil conditions.

• Watering: Water occasionally during prolonged dry periods; prefers drier conditions once established.
• Pruning: Trim lightly in spring to encourage fresh growth and maintain compact form; remove any flower stalks if desired to focus energy on foliage.
• Fertilizing: Little to no fertilization needed; overfeeding can cause floppy growth.
• Pest and Disease Resistance: Deer and rabbit resistant; rarely troubled by pests or diseases with proper drainage.
• Winter Care: Hardy and evergreen in most climates; protect from overly wet conditions to prevent root rot.

Why Choose Silver Brocade Wormwood?

Silver Brocade Wormwood offers an elegant and resilient solution for brightening sunny, dry spaces with minimal care, providing shimmering foliage contrast that enhances garden compositions year-round.

• Brilliant Silver Foliage: Adds brightness, texture, and contrast to sunny gardens.
• Compact and Spreading: Ideal for edging, groundcovers, and filling gaps between larger plants.
• Drought and Salt Tolerant: Thrives where many plants fail, including coastal sites.
• Low Maintenance: Requires little care and adapts to tough conditions.
• Deer and Rabbit Resistant: Perfect for wildlife-heavy landscapes.

For shimmering texture, drought resilience, and low-maintenance beauty, Silver Brocade Wormwood (Artemisia stelleriana 'Silver Brocade') is a standout addition to any sun-drenched garden.