A
lso known as beach wormwood, and old woman, this evergreen perennial or subshrub native to China, Korea, Siberia, and Japan where it grows in sandy soil, including sand dunes and coastal cliffs. It is a member of the aster family, Asteraceae, that also includes daisies, sunflowers, and lettuce. The aromatic, coarsely lobed leaves are three to four inches long and are densely covered in white silky hairs. The yellow flower heads are ¼” wide and appear in late summer in dense narrow panicles but are not considered ornamentally attractive. Plants are salt and drought tolerant so are especially useful in maritime gardens. The foliage can be used in dried arrangements. The genus name, Artemesia, is the name of the Greek goddess of chastity, the hunt and moon and refers to the silvery foliage. The specific epithet, stellerana, comes from the Latin word stella meaning star and refers to the spreading nature of the leaves.
Type: Evergreen perennial/ subshrub
Bloom: Small yellow flower heads ¼” across in dense, slender panicles in late summer
Size: 10-30” H x 24-36” W
Light: Full sun
Soil: Average to lean, moderately moist to dry, well-drained
Hardiness: Zones 3-9
Care: Cut back in mid-summer to maintain attractive appearance
Pests and Diseases: Powdery mildew
Propagation: Seed, division ijn spring or fall, basal cuttings in late spring
Companion Plants: Red valerian, seaside aster, sea holly, obedient plant, Othonna, African daisy, Sedum,
Outstanding Selection: ‘Silver Brocade’ (dense, compact, prostrate)
Karen Meyers