Artemisia ‘Wormwood’

Description

Artemisia ‘Wormwood’ Plants

Artemisia ‘Powis Castle’

This herb, with its lovely ferny gray-green leaves and delicate growing habit is a perfect addition to the garden. It really works to tie together other plants, a backdrop of lovely color and texture. Easy to grow, and is deer resistant!

Wormwood plants are a bushy, woody-based perennial or sub shrub which is grown for its aromatic silvery foliage. It rarely flowers. Foliage is finely divided and feathery in appearance. Typically grows in a shrubby mound to 2-3′ tall and as wide, but spreads by underground rhizomes and may reach 3-6′ wide if not restrained. Wormwoodgrows best in poor to moderately fertile, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun. Soil must be drained for this plant to grow well. Plant stems tend to fall in the summer, especially if grown in fertile soils and/or part shade. General foliage decline often occurs in high humidity summer climates. Prune artemesia plants in spring to control growth, but be careful to leave sufficient numbers of live buds on each stem to facilitate bushy growth. Never prune stems to the ground. Foliage may also be lightly sheared in summer to shape, but avoid pruning in fall.

A key ingredient in absinthe. Although give a ‘dark reputation’ due to its reported dangers, according to Amy Stewart in her New York Times bestseller, The Drunken Botanist, those rumors are greatly exaggerated: ‘The stories of absinthe causing hallucinations and wild behavior among France’s bohemian set in he late nineteenth century are mostly false; perhaps this was caused by the extraordinarily high alcohol content in absinthe … 70 to 80 percent ABV, making it twice as alcoholic as gin or vodka.”
Wormwood Plants

Wormwood is used for various digestion problems such as loss of appetite, upset stomach, gall bladder disease, and intestinal spasms. Wormwood is also used to treat fever, liver disease, and worm infections; to increase sexual desire; as a tonic; and to stimulate sweating. Some people apply wormwood directly to the skin for healing wounds and insect bites. Wormwood oil is used as a counter irritant to reduce pain. However, we STRONGLY suggest that you consult with a physician before using this herb medicinally.

The name derives from its use to expel roundworms and threadworms, although habitual use can cause convulsions.

Remember to drain soil properly. The plant tends to open up in summer and can be susceptible to root rot in moist soils, particularly poorly drained ones.