Artemisia abrotanum
Credits
Article from Bean's Trees and Shrubs Hardy in the British Isles
Recommended citation
'Artemisia abrotanum' from the website Trees and Shrubs Online (treesandshrubsonline.
Editorial Note
Bean treated this species under the names Artemisia abrotanum and A. procera, since synonymised. The text below is adapted from Bean’s entries.
A soft-wooded, semi-shrubby, fragrant plant varying from 3 ft to 8 ft high; stems erect, glabrous or covered at first with a grey down, densely furnished with foliage. Leaves downy, the terminal half doubly or trebly pinnate, the final divisions scarcely thicker than a thread; the entire leaf is from 1 to 3 in. long, 3⁄4 to 3 in. wide, dull green or dark green. Flower-heads dull yellow, 1⁄6–1⁄8 in. across, nodding; produced from August to October in a tall, slender panicle 12 to 20 in. high, 11⁄2 to 21⁄2 in. through, terminating each shoot; the lower portion of the inflorescence is composed of racemes springing from the axils of the uppermost leaves.
Native of S.E. Europe and Asia Minor, though cultivated for so many centuries that the origin of the garden race can no longer be ascertained; grown in England since the sixteenth century. The flowers have little beauty, but the plant has always been a favourite in gardens, especially cottage gardens, for the sweet aromatic odour of its finely divided leaves. Village children were very fond of taking a sprig to school, and in the north of England the plant is often called “lad’s love”. It thrives in any soil, but likes a sunny, well-drained spot. Increased by cuttings taken any time during the summer, and placed either in gentle heat, or under a bell-glass in some sheltered corner. It flowers infrequently in most parts of Britain, and is valued solely for its fragrant sprigs.
The wild form, with rather more finely cut foliage and taller stems, was traditionally treated as A. procera, described by Bean as quite hardy, having lived outside for many years at Kew without protection.