Artemisia abrotanum (Tall wormwood)

Botanical name

Artemisia abrotanum

Other names

Southernwood, Sweet Benjamin, Medicinal wormwood, Sabbath day posy, Slovenwood, Maiden's ruin, Maid's love, Maid's passion, Boy's love, Lad's love, Old man, Tall wormwood

Genus

Artemisia Artemisia

Species

A. abrotanum - A. abrotanum is an erect, doeciduous to semi-evergreen sub-shrub with fragrant, finely divided, grey-green leaves and nodding panicles of yellow-grey flowers in late summer.

Foliage

Deciduous

Fragrance

The foliage has aromatic leaves

Habit

Bushy, Clump-forming, Compact, Erect

Awards

RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)

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Colour

Flower

Grey, Pale-yellow in Summer

Foliage

Grey-green, Green in Summer

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Aphids

General care

Pruning

These plants tend to get straggly with growth and regular pruning encourages bushy growth. Cut back in autumn. (but in cold areas do not cut until spring.) Also pinch out the shoot tips of young plants to encourage bushy growth. To renovate, cut all stem

Propagation methods

Seed, Semi-hardwood cuttings

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Artemisia abrotanum (Tall wormwood) will reach a height of 1m and a spread of 1m after 5-10 years.

Suggested uses

Cottage/Informal, Drought Tolerant, Drying, Flower Arranging, Beds and borders, Low Maintenance, Mediterranean, Foliage only

Cultivation

Plant in well-drained soil in full sun or part shade.

Soil type

Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)

Soil drainage

Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Partial Shade, Full Sun

Aspect

South, East, West

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Hardy (H4)

USDA zones

Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Artemisia abrotanum (Tall wormwood)

Common pest name

Scientific pest name

Phytophthora tentaculata Kröber & Marwitz - All Hosts

Type

Oomycete

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

5

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Polyphagous pathogen present in parts of Europe and beyond.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Artemisia abrotanum (Tall wormwood)

Common pest name

Corn borer; Corn moth; European corn borer; European maize borer; European stalk borer; Maize pyralid

Scientific pest name

Ostrinia nubilalis

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Present (Limited)

Likelihood to spread in UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Polyphagous boring pest present in the UK since the 1930’s. A maize-affecting race was detected for the first time in 2010. Industry may wish to monitor for its presence and mitigate against impacts.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/