Artemisia abrotanum (SOUTHERNWOOD) AGM

Southernwood  Asteraceae

A plant with more common names than most plants have leaves: Southernwood, Old Man, Lad’s Love and even Maid’s Ruin. Artemisia abrotanum is a handsome, aromatic subshrub from southern Europe, forming an upright mound of finely divided, grey-green foliage with a wonderfully pungent, camphoraceous fragrance. Kew recognises its native range as Spain to Italy, although it has been cultivated and naturalised far beyond it. 

Its ethnobotanical history is particularly rich. Southernwood has been used in European and Asian traditional medicine for centuries, including preparations for digestive complaints, fevers and parasitic infections. Its strongly aromatic foliage was also traditionally hung amongst clothing to deter moths and other insects, giving rise to the French association with garderobe. Dried shoots were used in herbal teas, while the leaves have flavoured meats, salads, cottage cheese, confectionery and alcoholic drinks. A yellow dye can also be obtained from the plant and used for wool. 

In the garden it is wonderfully undemanding: give it sun, good drainage and reasonably lean soil and it will reward you with a dense, aromatic presence for years. It responds well to an annual spring trim, keeping the foliage young and bushy. A superb plant for herb gardens, gravel gardens and anywhere that appreciates a little old-fashioned botanical eccentricity.

Height: 50–100cm
Spread: 50–100cm
Flowering: August–September
Hardiness: H6 (-20 to -15°C)
Best conditions: Full sun to partial shade; well-drained soil. 

Note: traditional medicinal uses are recorded here as ethnobotanical history, not as recommendations for self-medication.