Artemisia 'Powis Castle'

Artemisia is a genus comprising approximately 200 evergreen and deciduous shrubs, perennials, and annuals, mainly found in dry temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Many species have aromatic, pinnately divided, or finely dissected silvery-green foliage and inconspicuous flowers.

The genus is named after Artemis, the Greek goddess of the moon, wild animals, and hunting.

'Powis Castle' is likely a hybrid between Artemisia arborescens (large wormwood) and Artemisia absinthium (absinthe wormwood). It is a bushy, woody-based perennial or subshrub primarily cultivated for its aromatic, finely divided, silvery, fern-like foliage, which has a feathery appearance. Usually, it grows into a shrubby mound reaching 2-3 feet tall and wide, but it spreads through rhizomes and can grow to be 3-6 feet wide if not contained. It rarely produces tiny yellow-tinged silver flowers. In warm winter climates, these plants are essentially evergreen.

'Powis Castle' was introduced in 1972 from the National Trust's Powis Castle in Wales. Allan M. Armitage regards 'Powis Castle' as "one of the finest plants in cultivation," it received the 1993 RHS Award of Garden Merit.

Height: 3'
Spread: 3'
Bloom: Rarely
Light: Full sun
Water: Low to medium
Zone: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Origin: Western North America to Mexico