Artemisia ludoviciana Valerie Finnis

<strong>Wormwoods, or <em>Artemisia</em>, are plants valued for their finely cut foliage and attractive silvery tones</strong>. They are perennial plants or shrubs, sometimes annuals, such as <em>Artemisia annua</em>. Foliage is generally aromatic and fragrant, and can be cut very finely, lace-like. Flowers, by contrast, are less interesting and rather undistinguished. Wormwoods take various forms: some grow in upright, tufted, shrubby clumps, others are very spreading and low, like <em>Artemisia schmidtiana</em>, forming dense, cushiony mats. <strong>Wormwoods are also medicinal and aromatic plants</strong>, containing essential oils within their tissues. Some of these plants are very well known: absinthe (<em>A. absinthium</em>), genepi (<em>A. genipi</em>), aurone or tarragon (<em>A. dracunculus</em>) are all Artemisia. Common mugwort, <em>Artemisia vulgaris</em>, is one of the most used for its medicinal properties. It is also a species that grows wild in France. They thrive in warm, dry situations. They like full sun and well-drained, rather poor and dry soils. They require little maintenance: no major needs for watering or feeding, but will appreciate being pruned from time to time to maintain a compact habit. Silvery foliage of wormwoods is ideal for highlighting other flowering displays. It provides a superb backdrop and harmonises very well with flowers in pastel tones — pink, mauve, blue or white. It can fit into a romantic garden, for example with roses and peonies.