White sage (Artemisia ludoviciana 'Silver King')
Artemisia ludoviciana 'Silver King', or White sage, offers striking silver foliage contrast. Hardy in Zones 4-9, this perennial loves full sun and dry conditions.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
The defining feature of Artemisia ludoviciana ‘Silver King’, commonly known as White sage, is its stunning, silvery-white foliage that provides year-round texture and contrast in the garden landscape. This herbaceous perennial is highly valued for its ability to thrive where other, more demanding plants may fail. It forms spreading clumps through rhizomes, making it an excellent choice for naturalized areas or tough, dry spots.
While the foliage is spectacular, the tiny, inconspicuous yellowish-gray flowers that appear in late summer have little ornamental impact. Gardeners primarily grow Artemisia ludoviciana ‘Silver King’ for its aesthetic foliage rather than its blooms. This North American native demands excellent drainage, preferring poor to moderately fertile soils kept on the dry side.
Because of its vigorous spreading habit, White sage is best utilized where its growth can be contained or where it is allowed to naturalize freely. Its aromatic leaves release a pleasant scent when bruised, adding an often-overlooked sensory element to the garden space.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Asteraceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 4-9
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 2-3 ft
- Spread: 2-3 ft
- Bloom Time: August to September
- Bloom Description: Yellowish-gray
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Dry to medium
- Maintenance Level: Medium
How to Grow
Planting Artemisia ludoviciana ‘Silver King’ is most successful in full sun conditions, which ensures the foliage remains bright silver and prevents flopping stems. Excellent soil drainage is paramount; this plant performs poorly and is highly susceptible to root rot in moist or wet soils. Ideally, plant in poor to moderately fertile, well-drained soil during the spring or fall.
Maintenance for White sage is moderate, largely revolving around managing its spread and dealing with summer performance challenges. Consider pinching back stems in late spring to reduce the mature height and encourage a bushier habit. In high-humidity summers, you may notice foliage decline; shearing the plant back at this stage can help revitalize the look.
Do not fertilize heavily, as rich soils can encourage excessive weak growth, leading to stems lodging (flopping over) in the summer heat. To prevent the plant from spreading too aggressively via rhizomes or self-seeding, promptly remove flower heads before they set seed. Soil barriers are recommended if you are planting Artemisia ludoviciana ‘Silver King’ near less vigorous garden neighbors. Propagate by dividing clumps in late summer or early autumn.
Landscape Uses
The primary role of Artemisia ludoviciana ‘Silver King’ in landscape design is textural contrast. Its brilliant silver-green foliage stands out dramatically against dark green shrubs, vibrant annuals, or deep purple perennials, making it an excellent foil for flowering plants. Due to its somewhat invasive, spreading habit, it is strongly discouraged for use in formal borders or confined herb gardens where control is difficult.
This plant shines when allowed to naturalize in large drifts, especially in areas with historically poor, dry soils where many other plants struggle. It is an excellent choice for isolated sections of the garden, slopes prone to erosion, or large rock gardens where it can spread without encroaching on valued specimens. Use it intentionally as a filler in large mixed plantings where its silvery color draws the eye.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Insignificant
Noteworthy Characteristics
Artemisia ludoviciana is native throughout North America, commonly called white sage due to its handsome foliage appearance. This rhizomatous perennial grows in spreading clumps up to 3 feet tall on greenish-white stems clad with aromatic, silvery leaves that are woolly beneath. The genus name honors Artemis, the Greek goddess of the moon, and its specific epithet refers to the Louisiana Territory. The cultivar ‘Silver King’ typically maintains erect stems, creating a distinct, silvery presence in the garden that rarely needs heavy intervention beyond growth management.
Tolerances
- Rabbit
- Deer
- Drought
- Erosion
- Dry Soil
Potential Problems
The major concern when growing Artemisia ludoviciana ‘Silver King’ involves managing its vigor and summer performance. Foliage decline and stem flopping frequently occur during hot, humid summer weather, particularly if the plant is grown in overly fertile soil or partial shade. Always ensure superb drainage, as susceptibility to root rot is high in moist or poorly drained environments.
To prevent unwanted colonization, be diligent about removing flower heads to stop Artemisia ludoviciana ‘Silver King’ from self-seeding. If the plant spreads too far via its rhizomes, consider installing soil barriers during planting to help contain its aggressive nature within designated areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is White sage suitable for?
White sage (Artemisia ludoviciana ‘Silver King’) is hardy across a wide range, suitable for USDA Zones 4 through 9. Ensure your location falls within this range for best results.
How large does White sage grow?
This herbaceous perennial typically reaches a mature height between 2 to 3 feet tall and spreads to a width of 2 to 3 feet wide, often forming a somewhat aggressive clump.
What sun exposure does Artemisia ludoviciana ‘Silver King’ need?
Artemisia ludoviciana ‘Silver King’ requires full sun exposure to maintain its vibrant coloration and strong, upright growth habit.
When does White sage bloom?
The bloom time for White sage is generally from August into September, producing somewhat inconspicuous, yellowish-gray flowers.
Conclusion
The silver foliage of Artemisia ludoviciana ‘Silver King’ makes this plant an indispensable textural element in the perennial landscape, especially where dry conditions prevail. While its spreading nature requires management, the striking contrast provided by this White sage easily outweighs the need for occasional pruning or containment. Before planting, confirm your USDA hardiness zone suitability and ensure you can provide the full sun and excellent drainage that this resilient beauty demands.
Companion Planting Guide
When selecting companions for White sage, focus on plants that share its love for dry conditions and require full sun. Avoid water-hungry perennials that require consistent moisture, as this will compromise the health of the Artemisia ludoviciana ‘Silver King’. Good pairings include plants with dark green or contrasting purple tones, such as purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) or Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia), which complement the silvery texture.
Consider integrating low-growing succulents or sedums that thrive in lean, dry soil. These companions will fill in the lower gaps while sharing the cultural requirements of the Artemisia ludoviciana ‘Silver King’, resulting in a low-maintenance, drought-tolerant display. Avoid placing it directly next to very fine-textured, slow-spreading plants that might be overwhelmed by its rhizomatous spread.
Hardiness and Soil Preparation
Successfully growing Artemisia ludoviciana ‘Silver King’ hinges entirely on preparing the soil correctly before planting. This plant absolutely requires well-drained soil and struggles significantly in anything heavy or consistently damp. If your native soil retains too much moisture, amend it heavily with coarse grit, sand, or expanded shale to break up density.
Since this plant prefers poor fertility, avoid incorporating large amounts of finished compost or aged manure into the planting hole, as this encourages floppy growth susceptible to lodging. If you are planting in an area that is naturally rocky or sandy, you have already met the primary cultural requirement for this tough, drought-tolerant perennial.
