Plant of the week – Artemisia absinthium has an attractive outlook. The appearance is fresh and silverish with dense foliage. Having said that. Where I come from this perennial herb is commonly used to flavour brännvin. This is a plain and colourless booze distilled from potatoes, grain, or (formerly) wood cellulose with an alcohol content between 30% and 38%. I don’t drink brännvin so not sure what that combo taste like.
Plant of the week – Artemisia absinthium
I do, however, know what the herb per se taste like. And I don’t like it one iota. I used to have wormwood, as this plant is commonly known, in my garden. I bought it because I liked the look of it. It was doing very well. Until three consecutive VERY BAD winters killed it off. Thanks a lot.
As is implied by the silverish green colour of the plant it loves a sunny location preferring dry, well-draining soil. Originating in the Mediterranean area, it’s a very drought tolerant plant. The latin name connects with the Greek goddess Artemis who was protector of the forest and children. Which is interesting as this plan in real life deters animals from entering your garden if planting near an entrance.
It may be noted that this herb has some toxic qualities and care should be taken. It grows to about 60-90 cm high and about 45-60 cm wide. From a design perspective it’s decorative and useful thus suiting Mediterranean garden scenes, herb gardens, beds and borders and cottage gardens.
