Artemesia / Perennial

Artemesia is a genus that includes many herbs that grown for ornamental and culinary uses. The most familiar name given a number of the ornamental varieties is Wormwood. Most are tolerant of clay soils and are hardy growers in our climate.

Common Wormwood

A. absinthium

This variety is a wonderful accent for the back of your border. Plants can reach 3 feet in height in full sun. Its silvery-gray foliage is beautiful in the garden as well as in dried flower arrangements. It can be easily pruned into a shrub. ‘Silver King’ artemesia

A. ‘Silver King’

Also known as “Ghost Plant” has striking, lacy, silver foliage and grows to about 2 feet when flowering. This, and the lesser known ‘Silver Queen,’ which has more finely cut leaves, are beautiful additions to the herb garden as a key ingredient for herbal wreaths and arrangements. Heavy summer rains can mar the foliage by causing the leaves to blacken or yellow. It also has a tendency to become woody if not pruned regularly.