Artemisia lactiflora (White Mugwort)

Resembling the delicate Astilbe, Artemisia lactiflora (White Mugwort) is favored for its deep green foliage, its attractive plumes of creamy-white flowers, and its elegant vertical lines. Unlike its Artemisia cousins, whose yellow-gray flowers are inconspicuous, White Mugwort features lovely sprays of tiny flowers on slightly arching but self-supporting stems from late summer to fall atop toothed, deep-green leaves with silver undersides. This is an excellent selection for the garden thanks to its airy texture and is perfect for lightening the effect of brightly colored flowers in the landscape. It mixes superbly with the rich blues and purples of Asters and the brilliantly colored Echinaceas (Coneflowers).

• Erect, this clump-forming perennial typically grows 4-5 ft. tall (120-150 cm) and spreads 2-3 ft. (60-90 cm).
• Thrives in rich, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun or part shade. Excellent soil drainage is essential.
• Fits beautifully in any bed of perennial flowers. Great as cut flowers or for everlasting dried flower arrangements.
• Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society (1993)
• Easy to grow, White Mugwort is drought, deer, and rabbit tolerant and attracts butterflies.
• Staking may be required in conditions of moist, rich soil. Cut back in early summer to prevent legginess. Cut back to basal foliage after flowering in the fall. Propagate by division or separation. Divide every 3-5 years.
• Artemisia lactiflora is one of the few Artemisia which tolerates part shade and prefers moist soils. Artemisia lactiflora ‘Guizhou’ Group, commonly known as ‘Ghost Plant’ or Purple-leaved White Mugwort, is among the best varieties with its upright purplish stems bearing deeply dissected, purple-flushed dark green leaves and sprays of creamy-white flowers in mid-late summer.