Prairie Sage - Artemisia ludoviciana

This fragrant Michigan native perennial, Artemisia ludoviciana, is know by many names, among them Prairie Sage, Gray Sagewort, Silver Wormwood, and Mashkodewashk.  When respectfully gathered and prepared, this sage is one of the species used for smudging and ceremonial purposes in the Native American tradition.
 
It likes full sun, but will deal with partial sun, and prefers medium to dry, well drained soil.  It is a good choice for poor dry soils and is drought tolerant once established.  It can reach 3 feet in height with silver, lightly fuzzed foliage that adds great texture and color in the garden or meadow. Yellow flower clusters are inconspicious, but the bees find them nonetheless, July through fall. Spreads by rhizome and can be agressive in ideal conditions, therefore it may not be suitable for small spaces.
 
Prairie sage is perfect for many herb gardens, sensory gardens, children's gardens, erosion control, meadow naturalization, and poor soil sites.  Prairie Sage is deer and rabbit resistant and is a host for several species of butterfly, including American Lady and Painted Lady.  Per the ideas of Nancy Lawson, The Humane Gardener, it and other deer-resistant plants can be used to guide these oportunistic foragers away from more tasty garden offerings such as sunflower.