Artemisia gmelinii SunFern™ Olympia

SunFern™ Olympia is the mounded, fern-textured cultivar of Artemisia gmelinii sold by Darwin Perennials for sunny containers and landscape beds. Its finely cut dark-green leaves and red stems bring a soft, distinctive foliage accent to drought-conscious plantings. ## Cultivar and garden use The [Darwin Perennials product page](https://www.darwinperennials.com/Products/Details/?phid=006309261003778) identifies the cultivar as ‘Balfernlym’ and describes dark-green leaves, red stems, mounded habit, and suitability for containers and landscape planting. [Proven Winners](https://www.provenwinners.com/plants/artemisia/sunfern-olympia-russian-wormwood-artemisia-gmelinii) lists a 16–18 inch garden height and 14–18 inch spread, with part sun to full sun and zones 4a–9a. The cultivar is valued chiefly for foliage texture; summer flower heads are inconspicuous and not a major display. ## Siting and water Plant in sun or part sun with good drainage. Darwin Perennials describes it as drought tolerant and recommends allowing nursery media to dry moderately between watering. In a garden, water new plants as roots establish, then reduce irrigation while avoiding prolonged wet soil. The breeder lists a mounded form and 18–24 inches of spacing, suitable for the middle or front of a border, a large container, or a repeated foliage accent. ## Maintenance This is a low-maintenance perennial. Remove winter-damaged or untidy stems as needed and leave healthy foliage to provide texture. Avoid excessive irrigation and fertilization in landscape soil. The trade name SunFern™ Olympia refers to the patented cultivar ‘Balfernlym’; its displayed garden dimensions and zones describe the named plant, not every Artemisia gmelinii form.