Genus: Artemisia

Common Names: includes sagebrushes, mugworts, wormwoods, tarragon, and more

A large, widespread genus of over 400 species that includes shrubs, subshrubs and herbaceous perennials. Most cultivated species have aromatic foliage and a very bitter taste; various species of Artemisias have been used in traditional medicine, for ceremonial use,  for culinary purposes, to repel pests, and for ceremonial uses since ancient times.

Distribution: typically found in dry to semi-arid temperate regions all across the world

Artemisia 'Powis Castle'

Description: perennial; a hybrid artemisia presumed to be the product of a cross between A. arborescens and A. absinthum. Selected by British gardener A. J. Hancock in the late 1960s and then introduced in 1972 by the National Trust's Powis Castle in Wales where it was used to line the walls and terraces surrounding the castle. Fine feathery, aromatic silver foliage forms a tidy, compact mound. Stays evergreen in all but the severest of winters in which it will freeze to the rootstock and put on new growth in spring. Can be pruned relentlessly in spring to refresh form and foliage.

Height: to 3 ft. Spread: to 6 ft.

Artemisia abrotanum

Common name(s): southernwood, southern wormwood, lad's love

Description: perennial; an ancient herb used for medicine, sachets, potpourris and as an air freshener and insect repellent. Strongly aromatic, feathery foliage smells of camphor and dries well. Forms a low, semi-deciduous shrub that is decidedly longer-lived with utter neglect. 

Height: to 1 ft. Spread: to 3 ft.

Artemisia abrotanum 'Silver'

Common name(s): silver southernwood, silver southern wormwood

Description: perennial; 'Silver' is a selection with silver-gray foliage as opposed to the gray-green foliage that is more typical of the species. Southernwood is an ancient herb used for medicine, sachets, potpourris and as an air freshener and insect repellent. Strongly aromatic, feathery foliage smells of camphor and dries well. Forms a low, semi-deciduous shrub that is decidedly longer-lived with utter neglect. 

Height: to 1 ft. Spread: to 3 ft.

Artemisia abrotanum 'Tangerine'

Common name(s): tangerine southernwood, tree southernwood

Description: perennial; 'Tangerine' is a rather rare selection of southernwood that typically doesn't flower and has distinctly upright growth instead of the low, mounding habits found in other southernwood selections. Some say it smells of tangerine but they all smell just about the same which is strongly camphorous. Southernwood is an ancient herb used for medicine, sachets, potpourris and as an air freshener and insect repellent. Strongly aromatic, feathery foliage smells of camphor and dries well. Forms a tall, semi-deciduous shrub that is decidedly longer-lived with utter neglect. 

Height: to 4 ft. Spread: to 3 ft.

Artemisia absinthum 'Lambrook Silver'

Common name(s): Lambrook Silver wormwood

Description: perennial; a selection from the garden of Margery Fish of Lambrook Manor, England. Very deeply cut aromatic silver foliage and allegedley one of the longest-lived of the artemisias. Evergreen in all but the severest of winters in which it will freeze to the ground and put on new growth in spring. 

Height: to 30 in. Spread: to3 ft.

Artemisia dracunculus 'Sativa'

Common name(s): French tarragon

Description: perennial; a classic culinary herb found in many different cuisines. Narrow, greens leaves smell and taste strongly of anise. French tarragon is sterile and will not set seed nor can it be grown from seed; most seed-grown tarragons will taste quite bitter and are not worth the effort. Easy to grow and over-winter with lean, well-draining soil; this plant is very susceptible to winter root rot and planting it in rich, organic soil that retains moisture will almost certainly kill it.

Height: to 2 ft. Spread: to 2 ft.

Artemisia ludoviciana 'Silver King'

Common name(s): western, mugwort, Silver King artemisia

Description: perennial; a selection that does not spread aggresively but rather forms a tidy clump. Leaves have been used traditionally as a wash for spider bites, rashes, etc. as as a natural underarm deodorant. Lobed, silver foliage adds texture to the dry garden. Small, nondescript flowers in late summer.

Height: to 3 ft. Spread: to 3 ft.

Artemisia ludoviciana 'Valerie Finnis' 

Common name(s): Valerie Finnis artemisia

Description: perennial; brought to England by plantswoman, Valerie Finnis, from the Munich Botanic Garden where it was grown as Artemisia borealis but later identified to be A. ludoviciana and subsequently named after her by Beth Chatto. A 1996 trial of artemisias by the Chicago Botanic Garden named it best in class for its vibrant foliage, sturdy stems, and slow-to-spread nature. Narrow, aromatic leaves with lobed tips. Winter dormant and hardy to well below 0 F. 

Height: to 1 ft. Spread: to 18 in.

Artemisia pontica

Common name(s): Roman wormwood, small absinthe

Description: perennial; an herb used in the production of absinthe and vermouth and in traditional medicine. Finely divided, aromatic foliage and small, nondescript flowers in late summer. Study, upright stems make for an attractive foliage plant in the dry garden.

Height: to 3 ft. Spread: to 3 ft.

Artemisia princeps

Common name(s): yomogi, Japanese mugwort, Korean mugwort

Description: perennial; undoubtedly one of the most versatile artemisias in cultivation. Used in moxibustion (smudging), sleep pillows, and various culinary applications. Popular in both Japanese (known as yomogi) and Korean cuisine (known as ssuk). Leaves are also used in soap-making and in baths intended to relieve swelling and muscular pain. Foliage is lobed and gray-green with whitish undersides. It can form a very robust patch in the garden if not contained but also performs well in container culture for those who lack the space.

Height: to 5 ft. Spread: to 5 ft.