Artemisia

Botanical/Latin
   Artemisia

Pronunciation
   are-ti-Meez-ee-a

Common Name
   Angel's Hair, Wormwood, Dusty Miller

Hardiness zone range
   3, 4 and 6

General Comments
Grown mostly for its aromatic silvery foliage, the texture and color contrasts presented by the various types makes them invaluable garden perennials and herbs. The flowers on most types are usually small and inconspicuous.

Uses
They are effective almost anywhere that the cultural requirements exist. The long list could include beds and borders, sloping banks and hillsides, raised beds and rockeries, around sunny patios and decks, in seaside plantings, and planted in Containers. Artemisias are also excellent in cut flower arrangements as foliage fillers. Deer (like most animals) find the leaves, which are aromatic and bitter, unpalatable. They also have good tolerance to drought and heat conditions.

Light Preference
Full Sun.

Culture
Artemisias like to grow in dry, well drained soil types, even thin, sandy or gravelly ones. It is important to avoid waterlogged conditions. Where heavier soils exist, it is a good idea to amend the soil by adding organic matter and extra grit or sand at planting time - particularly important with heavy clay or areas with high rainfall. Another approach is to elevate the crown by raising the soil level and perhaps planting a little higher. Because they are primarily grown for their foliage, shearing back old flower heads and straggly stems encourages fresh growth and keeps the foliage lush and vigorous. In spring or even occasionally during the season (especially after hot dry spells), old leggy growth can be cut back to within a few inches of soil level.

Background
Named after Artemis, the Greek goddess of the moon and the hunt who bestowed her magical powers to these plants. The aromatic foliage was thought to repel insects and diseases,so in ancient times and during the middle ages foliage was spread on the floors of buildings and amongst woolens and furs.

Splendor Suggestions
The silvery white colored leaves are covered by a layer of minute hairs which reflect light. This makes them worthy subjects for a moon garden or places that could be viewed at dusk. They could be grouped with other silvery foliaged and white flowered plants and placed in positions that could be viewed in the evening or on romantic moonlight nights, giving a whole new dimension to the "pleasures" of gardening.

Companion Plants
The silvery foliage is the perfect foil for all color shades; soft pastel shades or bright vivid colors, they all blend beautifully. The textures and growth habits provide that extra slant that ,when they are correctly proportioned, makes an outstanding impression. For a really eye catching combination, plant with the dark violet spikes of Salvia 'May Night' or the spreading purple flowers of Verbena 'Homestead Purple'; add in the softer pink Scabiosa 'Pink Mist' or lilac blue Scabiosa 'Butterfly Blue' and the silver makes it all come alive. Artemisia 'Powis Castle' works wonderfully well with Garden Phlox cultivars; check out Phlox 'Blue Boy', 'Bright Eyes', 'Eva Cullum' or 'Starfire' for possible inclusion in your next Planting--- the colors are breathtaking! Planted in borders with these and other colorful perennials is a good example of how the silvery foliage neutralizes and brightens the darker colors and compliments the softer, gentler pastel shades.