Species Beach Wormwood
green-white foliage on light-brown branches

Beach Wormwood

Artemisia campestris subsp. caudata

Also Known As - Tailed Wormwood
Beach Wormwood (Artemisia campestris subspecies caudata) is a highly aromatic shrub native to coasts and dunes of western Europe and northern Africa. The shrub can reach a height of one meter and is covered in small, silver-gray leaves with an intensely fragrant scent. Long, thin stems bear small clusters of yellow-green flowers that bloom from June to August. The leaves often form a grouping at the tips, giving an airy, feathery look. Its medicinal properties make it a valued medicinal herb used in alternative medicine treatments, and its unique fragrance adds interest to herbal teas.

Watering:

Minimal

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Cutting,Division,Layering Propagation,Grafting Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

Sun:

Sun

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green,gray,gray

Growth Rate:

Low

Poisonous To Pets:

Yes

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Thorny:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Beach Wormwood needs to be watered moderately and consistently. Water the plant deeply once per week, taking care not to overwater. The soil should be allowed to dry out slightly between waterings. During summer months, when the plant is actively growing, it may need to be watered more frequently in order to keep the soil from drying out completely. As a general guide, water the plant until the soil is damp at 2 inches deep. If the Beach Wormwood is planted in a container, check the soil's dryness more frequently, as the soil in containers can dry out more quickly.

sunlight

Beach Wormwood (Artemisia campestris subsp. caudata) is a plant native to the coastal areas of North America. The plant typically requires full sun and can thrive in a variety of soil conditions. It will do best, however, in sandy soil with good drainage. As Beach Wormwood grows in full sun, it will need a minimum of 6 hours of direct sunlight each day, although 8-10 hours is preferable. Alternatively, during the summer months, morning sun (6-7 hours per day) and afternoon shade (2-3 hours) may be beneficial. It is important to remember that the plant should not be placed in a spot that receives full sun all day long, as this will cause leaf burn. Beach Wormwood will do well in areas that experience higher temperatures, though too much sun may cause the plant to wilt.

pruning

Beach Wormwood should be pruned during the spring and fall months, before the plant begins actively growing. If you are looking to prune the plant for shape or appearance, do so during the dormant season of fall and early winter. Generally, a light trimming can be done in the late spring, but be sure to remove any dead or dead-looking branches. It is also beneficial to remove any extra branches that may be crowding the plant and make sure that no single branch is getting more light than the others. A severe pruning should be avoided, as this species is slow to recover after pruning.