Artemisia arborescens

RHS Plant Profile

tree wormwood

RHS

Other common names

old woman, silvery wormwood

Synonyms

Artemisia argentea misapplied
Artemisia arborea hort.

Shrubs

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An upright, woody, evergreen shrub with aromatic silvery leaves, finely divided into narrow segments. Long, one-sided sprays of small, daisy-like yellow flowers appear in late summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.5-1 metres
Max Height: 0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H4

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Foliage

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Asteraceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Artemisia can be shrubs, perennials or annuals, evergreen or deciduous, with usually grey, aromatic, often divided foliage and rather insignificant flower-heads
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: S Europe

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile well-drained soil in sun. Can die back in heavy, poorly-drained soil

Propagation

Root softwood stem-tip cuttings or heel cuttings of side-shoots in spring or early summer. Propagate by seed sown in containers in spring or autumn in a cold frame. Take cuttings regularly as plant may not survive harsh winters

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Coastal
Gravel garden
Cottage and informal garden
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Pruning Group 7 Cut back to the lowest, new shoots near the base in mid to late spring

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus