Common Name: |
Old Warrior |
Other Names: |
Roman Wormwood, Small absinthe |
Botanical Name: |
Artemisia pontica |
Genus: |
Artemisia |
Family: |
Asteraceae |
Native Location: |
C and E Europe |
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 tolerance. |
Pests and Diseases: |
Wormwood are very 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. |
Height: |
40-80cm (16-32in) |
Width: |
40-80cm (16-32in) |
Hardiness: |
Z5-9 |
Parts Used: |
Leaves |
Properties: |
Similar to A. absinthium, but milder |
Economic Uses: |
As a flavoring for wine (especially in Germany), bitters, cordials, and vermouth (notably Pontic vermouth) |
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 |