Artemisia abrotanum - Southernwood - €7 per plant

 Artemisia abrotanum - Southernwood is a perennial shrub grown for its attractive fern like leaves that exude a wonderful aroma when brushed up against. This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds and an interesting addition to the herb garden.  Takes well to pruning and likes a sunny position. The plant’s strong aroma and its repellent qualities have resulted in people hanging its dried herbs among clothes to repel moths. ​To order this plant email: [email protected].  

Context

  • native region: Thought to be Eurasia 
  • native habitat: Not known in a truly wild situation.
  • family: Asteraceae or Compositae

Predators

  • None known or experienced 

Needs, tolerances 

  • Light: Semi shade - Full sun 
  • soil pH:  Acid, neutral -basic alkaline 
  • USDA Hardiness: 4 - 8
  • Drought tolerant 
  • Prefers dry or moist soil

Known hazards 

  • Although no reports of toxicity have been seen for this species, skin contact with some members of this genus can cause dermatitis or other allergic reactions in some people.

Overview


  • Deciduous shrub growing to 1.2m  by 1m at a medium rate. 
  • In flower from September to October.
  • The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Wind.
  • Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. 
  • Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. 
  • It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. 
  • It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.
  • Can grow in nutritionally poor soil

Characteristics

  • form: Deciduous shrub
  • layer: Shrub layer
  • habit: multi-stemmed , deep tap root system. 
  • height x width (m): 1 x 0.5
  • years to bearing yield: 0 years  
  • productive life span: indefinite 

Products 

  • Leaves: Light green foliage that is beautifully scented. The young stems in early spring can be used in small quantities in salads
  • Flowers: Small, yellowy-white. Attractive to a variety of beneficial organisms
  • Medicinal: Southernwood has a long history of domestic herbal use including as with other plants in this , though it is now used infrequently in herbal medicine

Functions, behaviours


  • Tarragon has rhizomatous roots and it readily reproduces from the rhizomes.
  • Russian tarragon loses what flavor it has as it ages 
If you would like this plant please send an email to [email protected] with your order. 
Balkan Ecology Project