Artemisia frigida aka Fringed Sage

Artemisia frigida is a perennial in the daisy family, Asteraceae. Its common names include arctic sage and fringed sagebrush. It comes from Asia, eastern Europe, and North America. In North America, it grows on dry prairies, plains, and rocky ground. Its wild habitats reach elevations of about 10,827 feet [3,300 metres]. It is not native to Britain or Ireland.

The plant forms an upright tuft with a woody base. Garden plants reach about 1–1.6 feet [0.3–0.5 metres] tall. They can spread to 1.6 feet [0.5 metres] across. Some leaves stay on the plant through winter. Fine, silky hairs give the leaves a pale grey appearance. Each leaf divides into thin, threadlike lobes. The foliage has a scent and gives gardens a silver-white accent. Small yellow flower heads form branched clusters in July and August. The flowers have less visual impact than the leaves.

Grow this plant in full sun with good soil drainage. It tolerates drought and suits sites with dry, poor soil. The RHS also recommends fertile soil that drains well. Sandy, loamy, and chalk soils suit it. It accepts acid, neutral, and alkaline conditions. Missouri Botanical Garden lists USDA zones 3–10; Chicago lists 3–9. The RHS rates its UK hardiness as H5. Plants may take two to five years to reach full size. Remove dead stems and shoots in spring. Grow new plants from seed or stem cuttings.

Use it near border fronts, in rock gardens, or as ground cover. Its pale leaves contrast with green foliage and flowering plants. It also suits gravel gardens, herb gardens, containers, and garden edges. Deer and rabbits tend to leave it alone. The plant can help hold soil and restore rangeland. Its foliage provides shelter for small beneficial animals. Pests seldom cause trouble, but honey fungus can affect it. Wet, poorly drained soil can cause root rot and dieback. Hot, humid summers may make the clump open out.

The leaves serve as a strong, bitter seasoning in small amounts. PFAF also records occasional use of the seeds as food. It reports traditional leaf remedies for digestive troubles and other complaints. These records do not establish medical safety or effectiveness. Other recorded uses include insect repellents, scented stuffing, and green dye. PFAF reports no known toxicity cases for this species.