Artemisia abrotanum cv. Southernwood

	Artemisias are truly amazing. They take many different forms from ground-hugging to the coarse. They run the gamut of colored foliage as well, from the silvery shades of Powis Castle Artemisia to the soft vibrant green of Southernwood. Somewhere in the late 1500's or so, Southernwood was introduced to the British. Because it was native to Southern Europe and, because the British were already familiar with their native Wormwood, it became the Southern Wormwood. Eventually, this was shortened to just Southernwood. Lads were already including the pungent Wormwood in bouquets to lovely lassies, no doubt to mask less-than-desirable personal odors, so it was no surprise that they began to include the pungent clean-smelling Southernwood also. Consequently, two common names are Lad's Love and Maiden's Ruin. The French, who have wonderful names for everything, have called Southernwood Garderobe (closet), referring to its reputation to guard your robes from moths. This pungent aroma makes it difficult to perceive of Southernwood as a culinary herb, but it has been used as such in the past. Reputed to have been used with fatty meats, the result must have been extremely bitter (no doubt the reason its use was discontinued). There are records that indicate the Shakers were dealing with Southernwood as a medicinal herb as early as 1830. It was reported for use in obstructions and in treating children for threadworms. Today, Southernwood is most appreciated for its contribution to the landscape both in appearance and for fragrance. Growing to about two feet, it is best mixed with other blooming plants, since it rarely flowers, of the same height. When it does flower, they are like those of most Artemisias: disappointing. They are small yellow buttons that turn a most disagreeable brownish cream. Fortunately, shearing the plants to between 18 inches and two feet produces not only sturdy growth, but eliminates the odd flower stalk. Like Powis Castle, Southernwood has to be one of the all-time great fragrances. Not quite as sweet as Powis Castle, it has a touch of camphor and a touch of citrus. It would make a great aftershave. Indeed, it is used in the perfume industry today.
	Southernwood makes a great addition to both our Zone 5 Fragrant Herb Garden Six Pack and our Zone 8 Fragrant Herb Garden Six Pack.

Cultural Information

Height: 3 Feet

Hardiness: Perennial
in Zones 5-11

Flower Color: Yellow

Characteristics: Full Sun,
Water Conserving,
Evergreen

Uses: Fragrant Ornamental,
Medicinal

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