Artemisia abrotanum

Artemisia abrotanum

9x9 cm
€4,90
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Artemisia abrotanum

Artemisia abrotanum

€4,90

Artemisia abrotanum is a highly fragrant, resilient, low maintenance perennial for both outdoor or indoor gardens.


The grey-green leaves are similarly narrow and feathery, the camphor-like odor is powerful, happy in the sun, drought and disease tolerant...

The plant grows as an upright, bushy shrub, typically reaching 60–120 cm in height. Its finely divided, feathery leaves are silvery-green and covered in a soft, aromatic coating.

When crushed, the foliage emits a distinctive, pungent scent reminiscent of rosemary or sage.

From mid to late summer, Artemisia abrotanum produces small, inconspicuous yellow flowers, which are primarily of ornamental interest due to the plant’s striking foliage.

The shrub develops a woody base with branching stems, making it drought-tolerant and suitable for dry, sunny gardens.

It spreads slowly and can be maintained in defined shapes with occasional pruning.

Exposure Full Sun
Size 1m H x 0.8m W
Origin Europe
pda228-9
€4,90
In stock

🪴9x9 cm

🚂 Ships across EU
🌱 Grown in our nursery

☀️ Prefers full sun and well-drained soils, thriving even in poor or sandy conditions.
💦 Highly drought-tolerant once established, with minimal watering requirements.
❄️ Frost-hardy in temperate climates, though young plants benefit from light protection in severe winters.

Container Size
Gardening Tips

✂️The best time to cut Artemisia back is February/March.
👯‍♀️ It can easily be propagated by cuttings, or by division of the roots.

The Botany

NOTA BENE : Artemisia alba subsp camphorata resembles Artemisia abrotanum very much.

Here is a basic guideline to how to distinguish them

Key Differences:


  1. Aroma: A. abrotanum has a sweet, resinous fragrance; A. camphorata has a sharp camphor scent.

  2. Foliage color and texture: A. abrotanum is silvery-green and soft-feathery; A. camphorata is darker green/grey and slightly thicker.

  3. Traditional use: A. abrotanum has a longer history in European folk medicine and ornamental planting; A. camphorata is primarily valued for its camphor scent and insect-repellent properties.

  4. Size and habit: A. camphorata is often more compact, while A. abrotanum tends to grow taller and bushier.
The Myth

Traditionally, Artemisia vulgaris was used as a remedy for a variety of complaints, especially those of a gynaecological nature - this ranges from menstrual cramps, to bleeding, to pre, during and post-pregnancy troubles.

For this reason, the wormwood genus bears the name of the Greek goddess of childbirth, Artemis. Who has always been my favorite goddess - I have had a statue of her since I can remember.

This one has historically been used as an insect repellent.

The plant itself repels fruit tree moths when growing in an orchard.

The fresh plant can also be rubbed onto the skin to deter insects.

The shoots can be dried for indoor use, they remain effective for 6 - 12 months. This is actually the origin of the French name for the plant, "garderobe", as the branches were placed between clothes to keep away the mites.

Shoots can be burnt in the fireplace to remove cooking odours from the house.

The leaves have a refreshing lemon-like fragrance and are used in pot-pourri.

Other Names

Southernwood

Lad's love

Southern wormwood

Appleringie

Garderobe

Our Lord's wood

Maid's ruin (curious about this origin)

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