Artemisia dracunculus Russian (Russian tarragon)

Botanical name

Artemisia dracunculus Russian

Other names

Russian tarragon, False tarragon, Dragon wormwood, Dragon sagwort, Artemisia dracunculus subsp. dracunculoides

Genus

Artemisia Artemisia

Species

A. dracunculus Russian - A. dracunculus Russian is a vigorous, clump-forming, subshrubby perennial with aromatic, lance-shaped, dull to mid-green leaves and loose panicles of insignificant, nodding, yellow-white flowerheads in late summer.

Foliage

Deciduous

Fragrance

The foliage has aromatic leaves

Habit

Clump-forming, Erect

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Colour

Flower

Insignificant or absent, Pale-yellow in Summer

Foliage

Grey-green, Green in Summer

General care

Pruning

Cut back in spring.

Propagation methods

Seed, Semi-hardwood cuttings

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Artemisia dracunculus Russian (Russian tarragon) will reach a height of 1m and a spread of 0.5m after 2-5 years.

Suggested uses

Cottage/Informal, Drying, Beds and borders, Low Maintenance, Foliage only

Cultivation

Grow in well-drained soil in full sun. Though very similar to A. dracunculus French (French tarragon or True tarragon), A. dracunculus Russian is hardier, more vigorous and the leaves tend to have a less desirable flavour.

Soil type

Loamy, Sandy

Soil drainage

Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Full Sun

Aspect

South, West

Exposure

Sheltered

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

Tender in frost (H3)

USDA zones

Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4, Zone 3

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Artemisia dracunculus Russian (Russian tarragon)

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 dracunculus Russian (Russian tarragon)

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/