Overview
Artemisia pontica is a plant with a bushy, columnar upright, spreading branched, matforming habit in the genus Artemisia, part of the Asteraceae family, with deciduous, aromatic, silver-grey, divided leaves foliage. Artemisia pontica grows best in full sun, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H6. Suggested uses include cottage and informal garden, flower borders and beds and wall side borders.
About
Artemisia pontica is an Artemisia in the Asteraceae, notable for its aromatic, silver-grey divided leaves and a columnar to spreading, mat-forming habit. It flowers from July to September with small yellowish flower heads. Leaves are deciduous and strongly scented. The plant favours full sun and well-drained loam, sand or chalk on south- or west-facing, sheltered sites and is hardy to H6 (very hardy).
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About the genus
Artemisia is a large, diverse genus of plants belonging to the daisy family, Asteraceae, with almost 500 species. Common names for various species in the genus include mugwort, wormwood, and sagebrush.
Wikipedia contributors, "Artemisia (plant)", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Artemisia (plant)
In the garden
Artemisia pontica carries the finely divided, silver-grey foliage typical of many Artemisia, combining a columnar to spreading form with sections that can be mat-forming at the base. It produces small yellowish flower heads in the UK from July to September. The leaves are aromatic and deciduous, making the plant noticeable for scent as well as colour contrast. Position plants in full sun on freely draining soils: loam, sand or chalk suit it, and the species tolerates acid, neutral and alkaline pH. Choose a south- or west-facing spot that is sheltered from strong exposure and avoid waterlogged ground. The hardiness rating H6 indicates it tolerates cold UK winters while retaining its season-long presence as foliage declines. Use Artemisia pontica where its silver foliage will sit alongside herbaceous perennials or against a warm wall: suggested sites include cottage and informal gardens, flower borders and wall-side borders. Give individual plants room to spread; their mat-forming habit helps fill gaps between sturdier perennials while preserving the plant's aromatic character.
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Artemisia
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Loam, Sand, Chalk
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6
Plant details
Artemisia pontica size, habit and characteristics
- Habit
- Bushy, Columnar upright, Spreading branched, Matforming
- Foliage
- Deciduous, Aromatic, Silver-grey, Divided leaves
- Suggested uses
- Cottage and informal garden, Flower borders and beds, Wall side borders
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Artemisia pontica
- Propagation
- Seed, Softwood cuttings, Semi-ripe cuttings
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Susceptible to honey fungus
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Artemisia pontica?
Artemisia pontica prefers full sun. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Artemisia pontica need?
Artemisia pontica is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including loam, sand and chalk. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays well-drained.
Is Artemisia pontica hardy in the UK?
Artemisia pontica has an RHS hardiness rating of H6, meaning it is very hardy, tolerating -20 to -15°C across most of the UK.
How do I propagate Artemisia pontica?
Seed, Softwood cuttings, Semi-ripe cuttings.
More in the Artemisia genus
- Artemisia 'Coca Cola'
- Artemisia 'Valerie Finnis'
- Artemisia Pontica Roman Wormwood
- Artemisia lactiflora 'Elfenbein'White Mugwort
- Artemisia schmidtiana 'Nana'Silver Mound
- Artemisia 'Boughton Silver'
- Artemisia Indica var. Momiyamae