Description
- About this cultivar: Artemisia absinthium is a woody-based perennial that is grown for its attractive silver-gray foliage that adds interesting texture and contrast to gardens. The foliage, covered with silky-white hairs, is highly aromatic when bruised. The tiny, somewhat inconspicuous, yellowish-gray, flowerheads which appear in dense, leafy, drooping panicles at the stem ends in summer, have much or little ornamental value depending on your point of view. I think they look great as a dried.
- Position: Full sun, partial shade Soil: Dry soil, Almost any soil that is reasonably well drained Flowers: August, September, October Other features: Interesting Foliage or Fruit, Scented Hardiness: H6 - Hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15°C), Fully hardy Habit: Bushy, Columnar or Upright Foliage: Semi evergreen Height: 60 to 90 cm (2 - 3 ft) Spread: 60 to 90 cm (2 - 3 ft) Time to full growth: 5 to 10 years Plant type: Herbaceous Perennial, Shrub Image: Wiki CC
- About this genus: Artemisia is a large, diverse genus of plants with between 200 and 400 species belonging to the daisy family (Asteraceae). The name ultimately derives from Artemis, the Greek goddess of the moon, wild animals, and hunting. A more specific reference may be to Artemisia I (or II) of Caria - both Queens and successful Naval Strategists! Common names for various species in the genus include mugwort, wormwood, and sagebrush.
- In the garden they tend to prefer full sun and free draining soil, but most we sell should be fine anywhere - we don't sell much to Greece. Great for foliage and the front of the border. The small wind-pollinated flowers are also fun! The largest collection of living Artemisia species, subspecies and cultivars is held in the National Collection of Artemisia in Sidmouth, Devon, UK, which holds about 400 taxa.
- Artemisia comprises hardy herbaceous plants and shrubs that grow in temperate climates of both hemispheres, usually in dry or semiarid habitats. The leaves of many species are covered with white hairs. It has been mentioned in popular culture for centuries. Artemisia vulgaris (mugwort) was used to repel midges (mug = midge), fleas and moths, intestinal worms, and in brewing as a remedy against hangovers and nightmares. Perhaps caused by drinking absinthe... in which Artemisia absinthium is used!
Plants are sold in roughly half-litre sized pots (9cm). All the cultivars we sell have been grown and tested in our own garden (which is an RHS partner garden open to the public). When your plants arrive they can usually be planted straight out after soaking in water for 3 or 4 minutes. A good rule of thumb; make the soil level of the pot level with the rest of your border when planting out. Another rule of thumb; nearly all our plants will grow in indirect sunlight; we are in the British Isles after all. Another rule of thumb (!); Plants usually do better in the ground, which is unsurprising because that where they can from! Containers are ok if plants are kept fed and watered during their growing months, and in a warmer place during the winter. Try not to over water! During the year plants can be in various states of growth. Height, foliage, flower, and root-ball can vary by plant and time of year! The same plant delivered in early spring could be much bigger or smaller if delivered in late spring. Please be aware of this when ordering or receiving them. Some plants may have their flowers and foliage cut back when we send them, and look a bit awful! Don't worry, it is for their own good; some plants like to travel light. Similarly bulbs, rhizomes, and some plants may be dormant or dying back for the year when you order them, they may even look dead - that is the nature of hardy perennials so don't worry. Plant them out and wait, perhaps until next year, patience is a virtue in the hardy perennial game. Eventually your hardy perennials should grow back beautiful year after year after year. Again, this is the nature of hardy perennials - they die back and grow back, die back and grow back, year after year after year. Some years are better than others. You get the picture! If you are for some reason upset in any way please contact us - we're human.
