1 named cultivar

‘Silver Brocade’Beach Wormwood

perennialN. America Native

Beach Wormwood

The Story

Plant Bio

Artemisia stelleriana, beach wormwood, is a low creeping perennial of northern coasts, about eight inches high and spreading two feet. Deeply lobed silvery-white leaves are densely felted with hair on both surfaces, giving an almost artificial brightness, and small yellow cup-shaped flowers appear in summer above the mat.

It is a true dune plant, holding loose sand with creeping stems and shrugging off salt spray, which makes it one of the few silver-foliage plants that survives an exposed coastal garden. The felted hairs that give the colour also reduce water loss, so it needs sharp drainage and resents rich, damp soil more than it resents drought.

Uses & Benefits:

Brilliant silver-white deeply lobed foliage that holds colour all season.

Binds loose sand and tolerates salt spray, wind and drought on exposed coasts.

A native dune stabiliser on northern coasts, with flowers that draw bees and butterflies.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Perennial

Height

8 inches

Width

24 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Water

Low

Humidity

Low

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Northern coasts of North America and East Asia

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Planting

How to Grow

Plant in full sun in sandy, sharply drained soil.
Use it on dunes, banks and coastal borders.
Water only while establishing.
Do not feed; lean soil keeps the silver bright.
Shear after flowering to keep growth compact.
Divide creeping stems to spread it.

Pro Tip

The silver comes from felted hairs that also conserve water — rich damp soil dulls the colour and rots the plant.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Give it sand and full sun ☀️
Use it in coastal gardens 🌊
Shear after flowering ✂️
Leave it unfed 🚫

Don't

Plant it in rich damp soil ❌
Water it once established ❌
Crowd it among vigorous perennials ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Divide
Shear

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Coastal dune and sand stabilisationSilver foliage in a dry sunny borderRock garden and gravel planting

Companion Plants

Sea Holly Beach Rose Blue Fescue Sedum Panicum

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Beach Wormwood questions

What zones can Beach Wormwood grow in?

Beach Wormwood is hardy in USDA Zones 4–9. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Beach Wormwood deer resistant?

Yes — Beach Wormwood is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Beach Wormwood bloom?

Beach Wormwood typically blooms in mid-summer through late summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Beach Wormwood need full sun?

Beach Wormwood does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Beach Wormwood drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Beach Wormwood handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.