Artemisia douglasiana

Common Names: mugwort, Douglas’ wormwood

Family: Asteraceae

Origin: California

Type: Woody evergreen perennial, sub shrub

Size: Upright, 2–5 ft. tall (or more), spreading (rhizomes).

Flowers: Flowers insignificant, late summer into fall (can be cut off). Handsome gray-green foliage provides background for reds and purples.

Uses: Perennial back-border, small hedging, large rock garden, near oak trees.

Wildlife: Habitat, pollen, seeds for bees and birds. Deer resistant.

Soil: Poor but well-drained, even gravely.

Water: Supplemental only when young and during growing periods; quite drought tolerant.

Sun: Best gray coloring in full sun.

Pruning: Looks best when cut back hard every couple of years.

Pests & Diseases: Will “rot” in water-logged soils, otherwise carefree.

Notes: Found in canyon bottoms and along dry or moist stream beds. Reported to be an effective treatment for poison oak. Very invasive; not for a tidy garden; water encourages. Hardy to -5° F.