Artemesia ‘Powis Castle’

Artemesia ‘Powis Castle’

Characteristics

Culture

Artemesia ‘Powis Castle’ is best grown in poor to moderately fertile, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun. Excellent soil drainage is essential for growing this plant well. Does poorly in moist to wet soils where plants are susceptible to root rot. General foliage decline may occur in hot and humid summer climates.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Artemisia is a genus containing about 200 species of evergreen and deciduous shrubs, perennials and annuals mostly native to dry temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Many of the species feature aromatic, pinnately divided or finely dissected silvery-green foliage and non-showy flowers.

‘Powis Castle’ is most likely a hybrid between Artemisia arborescens (large wormwood) and Artemisia absinthium (absinthe wormwood). It is a bushy, woody-based perennial or subshrub that is primarily grown for its aromatic, finely-divided, silvery, fern-like foliage which is feathery in appearance. It typically grows in a shrubby mound to 2-3’ tall and as wide, but spreads by rhizomes and may reach 3-6’ wide if not restrained. Plants are essentially evergreen in warm winter climates.

‘Powis Castle’ was introduced in 1972 from the National Trust’s Powis Castle in Wales. Allan M. Armitage considers ‘Powis Castle’ to be “one of the finest plants in cultivation.” 1993 RHS Award of Garden Merit.

Problems

Plants tend to open up in summer. Susceptible to root rot in moist soils, particularly poorly drained ones. Watch for rhizomatous spread.

Uses

Ground cover plant for rock gardens, retaining walls, border fronts, between stepping stones.

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Courtesy of Missouri Botanical Society Plant Finder and Native Texas Nursery