The silverrue is a very undemanding steppe plant. You don't have to pay much attention to the cultivation of silvery mugwort in your home garden.
The noble rhombus with its silvery foliage can provide a Mediterranean flair in the garden bed. If you want to create your oasis of well-being based on the model of the famous English gardens, you cannot avoid the silverrue (Artemisia ludoviciana). The velvety silvery foliage can set off other flower colors to advantage. A white garden in combination with the silver rhombus has a very special charisma.
Origin of Silverrue
Mugwort belongs to the daisy family. In addition to the silver rue, this genus includes around 500 other species. The original home of the Artemisia family can be found in the moderate to subtropical climate zones in the northern hemisphere. The most common occurrences can be found in steppe areas and dry grasslands.
| Silverrue (Artemisia ludoviciana) | |
|---|---|
| Growth: | upright, clump-forming |
| Growth: | 30 - 60 cm |
| Flower: | July to August |
| Location: | Sun |
| Floor: | normal garden soil |
Use of the silver hash
The leaves and flowering shoot tips can be harvested. The silvery leaves are removed before flowering and can be used sparingly as a kitchen spice. The silver rue is particularly common in Mexican cuisine. Brewed as a tea, the herb is said to strengthen the stomach and liver.
Warning: The herb should be used sparingly, otherwise there is a risk of nausea.
The suitable location for the silver rue
The silvery mugwort can be planted in a full sun. The plants are an enrichment for the prairie garden, are also preferably used for planting bed borders and are suitable for planting graves.
The ideal substrate for silverrue
Dry soil is the most important basis for growth for the steppe dweller. A well-drained, nutrient-poor substrate such asit is found in the rock garden, gets the undemanding plants.
Waterlogging must not occur. The likelihood of water damming up is particularly high when planting in tubs. The permeability of the soil is improved if a drainage made of gravel or potsherds is laid in the bottom of the pot.
Planting the silverrue - step by step
1. Select location
2. Prepare soil
3. Observe planting distance
4. Dig planting hole
5. Create drainage
6. Insert plant7. Fill up the substrate
8. Press the soil
9. Water the plant lightly
So that the silvery mugwort comes into its own in the garden bed, it is important to ensure sufficient planting distance. Ground covers, such as the dwarf silverrue quickly form silvery-white carpets and can be used to border garden paths. Suitable plant neighbors are cranesbills or cushion bellflowers.
Watering the silver rue correctly
The frequency of watering depends on the location and the ambient temperature. The soil should not dry out completely. Therefore, it should be watered sporadically. If dryness persists, a smaller amount of fluid can be given regularly.
Fertilize the silverrue correctly
The nutrient requirement of steppe plants is low. If planted in normal garden soil, no additional fertilization is necessary. Noticeably poor soils are enriched with some fresh compost when planting.
Cutting the silver lozenge
The noble rue is not cut back in autumn. The foliage offers a bizarre eye-catcher in the winter garden bed and also serves as winter protection for the mugwort.
Scissors are used in late spring. To avoid endangering new growth, do not cut back into the heavily woody area.
An overview of the most important planting and care tips
| Activity | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Find location | • sunny • warm • dry |
| Prepare the ground | • permeable • dry • low in nutrients |
| Casting | • water little • the soil must not dry out completely • water more frequently during prolonged drought |
| Fertilize | • No fertilization necessary • Add compost to very poor soils |
| Cut | • Cut back in spring • do not cut back into the woody area |
Propagating the silver rue
TheSilverrue can be propagated by division. This is possible with older plants that have already developed a stable root system.
Tip: Dividing the plant also serves to rejuvenate it and thus preserve the plant.
Late spring is ideal for division. Propagation with this method is also possible immediately after flowering.
Proceed as follows for division:
1. Dig up the plant
2. Remove the substrate from the root
3. Check the root for damage
4. Remove dead or diseased root parts
5. Divide the plant
6. plant new plants in a new location as soon as possible
7. cultivate silverrue as usual
Diseases and pests on silverrue
Silver mugwort contains essential oils that deter most pests. From time to time it can be attacked by aphids. This poses no danger to the outdoor plant, because predators are plentiful and know how to contain the infestation quickly.
Warm and humid summers increase the risk of powdery mildew. The white, mealy coating on the leaves cannot be overlooked. The fungal attack can be counteracted by spraying with a milk-water solution.
Infestation with pyralids is found less frequently on the noble rue. The larvae of the small moths pupate in the stalks of mugwort. A strong spread can be prevented by setting up trap lamps.
Wintering the silverrue
As already mentioned, the plant is not cut back in autumn. The foliage provides effective winter protection.
Tip: If you accidentally prune the perennials, you should put a layer of leaves on the ground around the plant.
The winter hardiness also depends on the location. The steppe plants will survive the cold season better in a dry location than in a damp location.