Artemisia arborescens (Old woman)

Botanical name

Artemisia arborescens

Other names

Old woman, Silvery wormwood, Tree wormwood, Sheeba, Shrubby wormwood

Genus

Artemisia Artemisia

Species

A. arborescens - A. arborescens is a mid-sized upright evergreen shrub with fine silvery-green foliage and clusters of small yellow flowers in mid-summer to early autumn.

Foliage

Evergreen

Fragrance

The foliage has aromatic leaves

Habit

Bushy, Clump-forming, Compact

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Colour

Flower

Insignificant or absent, Yellow in Summer

Foliage

Green, Silvery-grey in All seasons

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Aphids , Gall midges

General care

Pruning

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. Discard old plants that cease to make new growth, they do not renovate well and should be replaced.

Propagation methods

Semi-hardwood cuttings

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Artemisia arborescens (Old woman) will reach a height of 2m and a spread of 1.5m after 5-10 years.

Suggested uses

Cottage/Informal, Flower Arranging, Beds and borders, Low Maintenance, Foliage only

Cultivation

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

Soil type

Chalky, Loamy, Sandy

Soil drainage

Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

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), Tender in frost (H3)

USDA zones

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

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Artemisia arborescens (Old woman)

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 arborescens (Old woman)

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/