Artemisia ludoviciana ‘Silver Queen’ (White Sage)

Grown primarily for its luminous foliage, Artemisia ludoviciana ‘Silver Queen’ (White Sage) is an upright, spreading herbaceous perennial that forms a broad, bushy clump of lance-shaped, silvery-white leaves with irregularly cut margins. The aromatic foliage, 2-4 in. long (5-10 cm), is densely woolly and retains its striking silver color throughout the growing season, bringing light, texture, and contrast to borders and combining beautifully with almost any flower color.

The species Artemisia ludoviciana is a documented larval host plant for the American Lady butterfly (Vanessa virginiensis). Caterpillars feed on the foliage and may create silk-bound shelters among the leaves. 

In summer, upright stems may carry small yellow-gray flower heads. They are relatively inconspicuous compared with the foliage and may be removed if a tidier appearance or reduced self-seeding is desired. Tough, drought-tolerant, and highly adaptable to lean soils, ‘Silver Queen’ is especially effective where a bold mass of silver foliage is needed.

• Grows about 2-3 ft. tall (60-90 cm) and 3-4 ft. wide (90-120 cm). It can spread vigorously by rhizomes and may also self-seed.
• This foliage plant thrives in full sun and poor to moderately fertile, dry to medium-moisture, well-drained soils.
• Excellent drainage is essential. White Sage may decline in heavy, persistently wet soil.
• Excellent as a foliage accent or mass planting in beds and borders, cottage gardens, herb gardens, and drought-tolerant landscapes.
• The foliage can provide food and shelter for American Lady caterpillars.
• Generally pest-free, although powdery mildew may occasionally occur.
• Drought tolerant once established and generally resistant to deer and rabbits.
• Cut old stems back to the base in late fall or early spring.
• Remove flower heads before seed develops if self-seeding is not desired. Root barriers or regular division can help control rhizomatous spread.
• Propagate by division or by semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer.