A silvery feathery compact form of wormwood, the foliage makes a fantastic backdrop to lightly coloured flowers.
Description
- Aromatic
- Attractive silver foliage
- Garden ornamental
Artemisia 'Powis Castle' is a cultivar of wormwood, and this shorter growing perennial is a bit easier to manage in many gardens. It has very soft, fern like leaves and small yellow flowers in summer
Plant care
- Height: 60-100cm
- Type: Hardy
- Aspect: Sun
- Soil: Any/alkaline
- Flower colour: Yellow
- Flowering period: July - September
Like wormwood, Powis Castle loves the sun and grows best in rich, heavy soils. It's also a striking silver leaved perennial that pairs well with purple and pink flowering plants, whether in the garden or in pots. It doesn't grow to the same heights as wormwood, making it an easier herb to grow in a container. The foliage dies back in winter and any woody stems can be cut back then.
The silver sheen of the leaves helps reflect sunlight, reducing water loss through evaporation and transpiration. This makes Powis Castle a good choice for drier climates. Grown in a pot, that same reflective foliage means it is a good drought tolerant herb and won't need watering as often as many other container plants.
Usage
Wormwood has been used in the past to rid the body of internal parasites. As a bitter herb it stimulates the appetite, improving bile secretions and supporting the liver. Wormwood 'Powis Castle' was developed to provide a more decorative and garden friendly plant than traditional wormwood and doesn't have the same potency.
