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Herbaceous Perennial

Artemisia vulgaris

mugwort

An upright, rhizomatous, herbaceous perennial growing up to 2.5m tall with aromatic, petiolate, deeply lobed, deep green leaves. Creamy-yellow flowers appear in late Summer as dense, leafy panicles. A well known medicinal plant with edible, bitter leaves that are often used in tea, tinctures and cordials.

Other common names

bulwand
fellon herb
see morefelon herb
greenfinger
motherwort
sailor's tobacco
St John's herb
St John's plant
beidiog lwyd

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Ultimate height

1.5–2.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.5–1 metres

Loam

Sand

Chalk

Moisture

Well–drained, Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Asteraceae
Native to GB / Ireland: Yes
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy, Columnar upright
Genus: Artemisia can be shrubs, perennials or annuals, evergreen or deciduous, with usually grey, aromatic, often divided foliage and rather insignificant flower-heads
Name status: Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in a moist but well drained loamy soil in full sun or partial shade. It is a fast growing and prolific self seeder so remove flower heads to prevent it spreading. Prune back in Autumn to encourage healthy, vigorous growth the following Spring

Propagation

Propagate by seed with a period of cold stratification or by division of the rhizome in Spring or Autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Low Maintenance
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Prune back growth to 5-10cm above ground level in Autumn. Remove flower heads to prevent self-seeding

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus

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