2001 ASCFG Dried Cut Flower of the Year
The ASCFG Dried Cut Flower of the Year for 2001 is Artemisia ludoviciana 'Silver King'. Allan Armitage calls this the best Artemisia cultivar, noting its excellent deep silver foliage and red fall color. Artemisia is a popular filler flower valued for its great color retention and pliability after drying. The foliage is aromatic and as with all fragrances, some people like it and some do not. Plants grow up to three feet tall, spread to about three feet, and are heat and drought tolerant. The plants are cold hardy in Zones 4 to 9 with a heat zone rating of Zone 12 to 3. Fungal disease problems can occur in some areas of the country. Plants are propagated by division or softwood cuttings and cut stems can be harvested the second year after planting. Cut stems after the flowers have just begun to open. Harvesting too soon will cause droopy tips after drying.
Contact ASCFG at 440-774-2887 or www.ascfg.org for more information.