Description
Artemisia – Mugwort – Sagebrush – Wormwood
There are about 300 species of evergreen, or deciduous shrubs, and perennials, herbs and annuals, in this genus. They’re found in semi arid fields, prairies and scrub in the Northern Hemisphere with a few from South Africa and Western South America. Their grown for their alternate, variable shaped often pinnatisect, aromatic, palest gray to silver, coated with whitish hairs leaves that repel insects. It produces cylindrical white or yellowish flower heads up to 3/8” wide, occasional solitary but more commonly in terminal panicles or racemes that are of little interest.
Grow these quite frost hardy plants in well-drained fertile soil in full sun although they can withstand hot dry areas and considerable drought. Cut down to base in autumn, cut shrubby species back hard in spring to maintain a compact habit and stimulate new growth. Divide in spring or in autumn.
Prone to White rust, downy mildew, powdery mildew, rust and variety of other fungal leaf and stem diseases are common.
Artemisia absinthium – Abinth – Wormwood – Common Wormwood – This clump forming woody based subshrub from Europe and temperate Asia grows 3’ feet tall and 2’ feet wide. This species spreads by rhizomes. It produces 2 or 3 pinnatisect, aromatic, silky-hairy, dull gray leaves, 2 ½-4” long with oblong lobes. In late summer it bears inconspicuous loose panicles 2-5” long of grayish yellow flower heads. Trim after flowering to keep a neat habit.
Zones 4-9
