Common Name: |
Cudweed |
Other Names: |
Western Mugwort, White Prarie Sage, Louisiana wormwood, White Sage, Native Wormwood |
Botanical Name: |
Artemisia ludoviciana syn. A. palmeri, A. purshiana |
Genus: |
Artemisia |
Family: |
Asteraceae |
Native Location: |
China |
Cultivation: |
Well-drained, neutral to slightly alkaline soil in sun. Artemisia absinthium, A. a. 'Lambrook Silver', and A. lucoviciana tolerate drought. A. capillaris thrives in moist soil and tolerates light shade. Hardiness varies with species; cover marginally hardy plants with loose straw or overwinter plants under cover. In spring, cut back shrubby species near ground level, or remove dead stems and trim to shape. Rust may attack foliage. |
Position: |
Most species prefer full sun, good drainage and almost neutral soil, (although mugwort tolerates partial shade). As it is strongly insecticidal, use it as a companion plant in the edge of gardens. |
Propagation: |
By seed sown in spring (annuals, perennials, and A. d. subsp. dracunculoides); by semi-ripe cuttings with a heel in summer (shrubby species); by division in autumn or spring (perennials). Propagate all perennial artemisias by semi-hardwood cuttings taken from midsummer to autumn, or raise from seed. Propagate rhizomatous species by root division in autumn. Directly sow the annual species A. annua into the garden in spring, or raise as seedlings and transplant at 6 weeks. |
Maintenance: |
Lightly prune and shape perennial bushy artemisias in spring. Prune southernwood heavily in spring. Artemisias are a drought-tolerant group once they are established, and perennial forms have good frost tolerant. |
Pests and Diseases: |
Wormwoods are rarely troubled by pests and diseases. |
Harvest: |
By seed sown in spring (annuals, perennials, and A. d. subsp. dracunculoides); by semi-ripe cuttings with a heel in summer (shrubby species); by division in autumn or spring (perennials). Harvest the leaves as required to use fresh or dried. |
Varieties: |
Silver Queen Has larger leaves and flowers less freely Height: 75cm (30in)
Valerie Finnis Has jagged, silver-gray leaves Height: 60cm (24in) |
Height: |
60cm-1.2m (2-4ft) |
Width: |
60cm (24in) |
Hardiness: |
Z4-9 |
Parts Used: |
Leaves, flowering stems |
Properties: |
An aromatic, antiseptic herb. |
Medicinal Uses: |
Internally in N American Indian medicine for tonsilitis and sore throats; externally for slow-healing sores, and as incense to disinfect implements and purify people or localities. |
Culinary Uses: |
Leaves and flowersheads are used for tea and flavoring, especially in sauces, game, and pork. |
Warning: |
Artemisias, and extracts from them, such as cineole and santonin, are subject to legal restrictions in some countries. |
Bibliography: |
Encylopedia of Herbs by Deni Brown Copyright ©: 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited pp 130-131, 133 The Complete Illustrated Book of Herbs by Reader's Digest Copyright©2009 The Reader's Digest Association, Inc. Pg. 17 |