About Artemisia integrifolia L.
Artemisia ludoviciana is a rhizomatous perennial plant that grows to heights between 0.3 and 1.0 meters (0.98 to 3.28 feet). Its stems carry linear leaves that can reach up to 11 centimeters in length. Both the stems and foliage are covered in woolly gray or white hairs. A narrow inflorescence made up of many nodding (hanging) flower heads grows at the top of the stem. Each small flower head is a cup of hairy phyllaries surrounding a center of yellowish disc florets, and measures around 0.5 centimeters wide. It produces a minute achene as its fruit, and flowers bloom from July to October. This plant is native to North America, where it is widespread across most of the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Some botanists put forward that populations in eastern United States were introduced from the western and central parts of the continent. Habitats where it grows include dry slopes, canyons, open pine woods, and dry prairies. A. ludoviciana is cultivated as an ornamental plant. Because it is rhizomatous, it can spread aggressively in some climates and garden settings. It grows best in dry to medium moisture, well-drained soil, and requires full sun. Popular cultivars of this plant include 'Valerie Finnis' and 'Silver Queen'. Both cultivars are hardy to USDA zone 4. 'Valerie Finnis' has held the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit since 1993.
