Artemisia dracunculus – Tarragon – Mugwort – Sagebrush – Wormwood

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 dracunculus – Tarragon – This clump forming sub shrubby perennial from Central and Eastern Europe, and Southern Russia grows to 3-4’ feet tall and 12” wide.  It bears aromatic lance shaped light to mid green leaves to 4” long.  In late summer insignificant nodding yellowish white flower heads are borne in loose panicles 2-14” long.  Leaves are used for seasoning- delicate, peppery aniseed flavor.  Divide in early spring. Zones 3-9