Perennial of the Asteraceae family, Artemisia nitida is a species from the Eastern Alps, mainly located in the limestone massifs of northeastern Italy, Slovenia, and Austria. It colonizes rock gardens, screes, and exposed limestone cliff crevices, at altitudes between 1,800 and 2,800 meters, in conditions of high light and intense drainage.
The 'Glacialis' selection forms a sprawling, bushy cushion, 5 to 15 cm in height, with creeping to semi-upright stems that gradually spread over the mineral substrate. The foliage, finely cut into tiny narrow lobes, is covered with a silky tomentum giving it a silvery gray-green hue, more or less intense depending on exposure and growing conditions. When crushed, it emits a discreet aromatic fragrance characteristic of the genus.
The capitula, discreet and yellowish to reddish-brown at maturity, are borne in small short clusters above the foliage. In its natural habitat, its flowering extends from July to August. In cultivation, it is above all the fine texture and silvery hue of the foliage that attract attention, with the flowering remaining very secondary.
It requires a limestone, very well-drained soil, in full exposure. Sensitive to stagnant winter moisture, it finds its place in an elevated rock garden, alpine trough, or Veitsch box.