Artemisia absinthium ‘Lambrook Silver’

Description

Artemisia absinthium ‘Lambrook Silver’

Bright silver, relatively long foliage clothes a fairly dwarf sub-shruby mound. It is ‘ever-silver’ and a trim after flowering will freshen it and keep it tidy. It has sprays of silver-grey and soft yellow flowers in Summer. A favourite of Marjery Fish and long-lived for an Artemisia. It is easy to grow in a sunny well drained spot, even in a dry site, but it is tricky to propagate. Approximatel 60 x 60cm, more in flower.

Artemisia

In the garden, Artemisia are known for the range of their silver foliage.  It ranges from sub shrubby species with foliage cut to haze like threads to the broad silver leaves of Artemisia ludoviciana and all in between. On the whole, the silver leaved species have flowers that are small and add little to the foliage effect. However, the Asian species, Artemisia lactiflora has tall spikes of small milky-white flowers that are worth their place in the border.

As a rule, Artemisia are very tolerant of sun and drought and will take some alkalinity. Artemisia lactiflora however would appreciate a little more moisture in the soil.

Mugwort is Artemisia vulgaris and one of the oldest of medicinal plants. People used to ascribe magical properties to it. It is an effective Moth repellent.

In cooking, you can use Mugwort (A.vulgaris) as a flavouring with fatty meats such as goose or pork.

Naming

Artemisa is the Greek name for these plants and derives from the Goddess Artemis, goddess of the hunt, the wilderness, childbirth and virginity. She was the protector of all young women and, as daughter of Zeus, one of the 12 Olympians.  Artemis as a goddess may predate even the Greek tradition. Clearly, this is a plant that must have been treated with respect. Possibly it connects with Mugwort having supposed magical properties.