I love silver mound. I wanted it for so long, but when I was married to my ex he said, "No way, it never keeps that nice mounding shape" so for years I didn't have it. :p When we split up it was the first thing I got! My solution to the shape issue is when it gets big and floppy in mid-summer, I cut it back almost to the ground and it gives me a great shape again for fall!

I took this picture yesterday!

That's exactly what I do to mine Mel. As soon as I see the new growth starting I cut it back. I love it too...so soft!

Yes, it is so soft! I'm constantly patting it and rubbing it!

Mel, that is so beautiful. My mom always had several patches of Silver Mound and it fascinated my kids to be able to "pet" it. I think she divided hers every few years as it would begin to get ratty looking in the center.

Is it like lamb's ear?

Is that a form of wormwood? I have some with that leave shape but it is much bigger and it's shape is very lanky.

I wish I could properly describe the feeling of this Artemesia. It's so soft and moderately springy. When I rub the mound, I take the palm of my hand rounded against the top of the plant and lightly rub it back and forth. (Kind of as you would do to a little boy's head after they get their "summer cut". ) The plant springs right back to it's original shapely mound. It does tend to get tall and lanky, losing it's shape, in the summer. That's why Netty and I cut it back, to get a second new mound in the same garden year.

Tammy, I found all the scientific information on wikipedia.org (I can't post the link). It is what some call wormwood. The scientific name is Artemisia schmidtiana.

thanks for the scientific name mel, now i can go find out if it will grow in this heat!