Artemisia dracunculus Russian

RHS Plant Profile
Russian tarragon

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Synonyms

Artemisia dracunculus 'Inodora'
Artemisia dracunculus dracunculoides
Artemisia dracunculus var. inodora

Herbaceous Perennial
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An attractive, bushy perennial herb producing branching stems of lance shaped, highly aromatic, mid-green foliage and loose panicles of insignificant, yellow-white flowers in late Summer. Much more vigorous than French Tarragon but equally deserving of growing in the garden for its culinary use

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained or Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
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)
H6

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Foliage
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Asteraceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy, Columnar upright
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

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in a moist but well drained loamy soil in full sun or partial shade. It is vigorous and fast growing. Prune back in Autumn to encourage healthy, vigorous growth the following Spring

Propagation

Propagate by seed with a period of cold stratification or by semi-hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Low Maintenance
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Prune back growth to 5-10cm above ground level in Autumn. Remove flower heads to prevent self-seeding

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus