Artemisia commonly known as Mugwort, Wormwood, Sagebrush, Sagewort, Absinthe, Tarragon, Sage, Lad’s love, Old man, Southernwood, Absinth, Sweet Annie, Sweet wormwood, White mugwort, Western mugwort, Silvermound, absinth wormwood are a diverse group of annuals, perennials and shrubs, some evergreen, grown for their fern like, silvery, aromatic, foliage. Dwarf types benefit from a protective winter covering of sharp grit or gravel. Trim lightly in spring. Propagate by division in spring or fall or by softwood or semi ripe cuttings in summer. These plants are known for their powerful chemical constituents in their essential oils and are used as food plants by the larvae of a number of insects that includes butterflies and moths. Most species have strong aromas and bitter tastes. The flowers are wind pollinated. Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions but will die back in heavy, poorly drained soils and may be short-lived. Plants may become leggy in part sun or very fertile soils. Pinching the tips in spring will help promote shorter, bushier growth. Prolific seed producers and seeds retain their viability for 3-4 years.
USES: Ornamental, Culinary, Repels fleas and certain moths, Beverages such as vermouth, absinthe and wormwood beer. Herb gardens, Contrast in borders and beds, Rock gardens. Drought tolerant gardens, Low maintenance gardens, Xeriscapes
TOLERATES: Drought, Deer, Rabbit, Dry soil, Erosion, Poor soil, Salt, Heat
Botanical Name: Artemisia absinthium
Common Name: Common wormwood, Absinthe, Wermutkraut, Echter Wermut
Type: Clump forming, woody based, Perennial
Flower Color: Gold / Yellow 2-5 in (6-10cm) long.
Foliage Color: Aromatic, silky-hairy, silvery gray leaves 2 ½-4 in. (6-10cm) long
Flowering Time: Late summer
Plant Height: 3 ft. (90cm)
Plant Width: 24 in. (60cm)
Light Requirements: Full sun
Water Requirements: Moist / Occasionally dry
Soil Requirements: Well drained, fertile soil
USDA Zone: 4-8
AHS Heat Zone: 9-1
Sowing Instructions (Cliff Notes Version): Sow seeds in containers in a cold frame in autumn or spring. Temperature is 68°F (20°C) if starting indoors. Seeds are slow to germinate. Takes approximately 2-10 weeks.
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