Powis Castle Wormwood

Meet the queen of silver foliage! The Powis Castle Wormwood (Artemisia x 'Powis Castle') is a shimmering, fragrant shrub with a cloud-like texture and soft, silvery, ferny leaves. Though rarely flowering, the finely-textured, aromatic foliage is its showstopper main feature—aromatic and lacy, almost feathery, like a puff of silver mist in the garden!

This semi-woody subshrub forms a wide, billowy mound, topping out around 2–3 feet tall and up to 3-6 feet wide, with soft stems cloaked in deeply cut, silvery-gray leaves. It rarely blooms, but when it does, expect small, yellow, inconspicuous flowers in late summer—though many gardeners shear them off to keep the foliage tidy and robust. In the fall, its foliage persists well, especially in warmer zones, where it remains evergreen to semi-evergreen!

Back in the Victorian era, Wormwood symbolized sorrow or remembrance, but in modern gardens, it's the epitome of resilience and beauty!

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Key Features

• Silvery, aromatic, fern-like foliage
• Drought and deer tolerant
• Rarely flowers, prized for foliage
• Semi-evergreen in mild climates
• Compact, wide-spreading mound
• Heat and salt tolerant
• Hybrid origin: A. arborescens × A. absinthium

Landscaping Uses

Powis Castle Wormwood hails from a cross between Artemisia arborescens and Artemisia absinthium, giving it both Mediterranean toughness and classic Wormwood charm. It's resistant to deer, drought, and even salty sea air. If you are looking to fill a dry slope, this silvery shrub shines!

This hybrid Artemisia is treasured for its drought tolerance, pest resistance, and low-maintenance personality, making it a top choice for xeriscaping, deer-prone areas, and adding year-round contrast to perennial borders.

This soft-textured, 2–3 foot tall and 3-6 foot wide mound of shimmer is ideal for sunny borders, dry gardens, and Mediterranean-style designs.

• Accent plant for borders, mixed perennial gardens, and Cottage Gardens
• Filler in Rock Gardens or as erosion control on dry slopes
• Silvery contrast to bright flowering perennials
• Xeriscapes and gravel gardens
• Containers (as long as they have excellent drainage)
• Along pathways for aromatic brushing
  
  

Care and Maintenance

This plant is hardy in zones 6 to 9, with a particular fondness for hot, dry climates and well-drained soil. This semi-woody subshrub is low-maintenance, drought-tolerant, and thrives on neglect—but in the best way possible!

• Planting Time: Spring or fall
• Sun Needs: Full sun is best (6+ hours of direct sun per day)
• Soil Needs: Requires well-drained soil; handles clay if amended; tolerates rocky and sandy soils
• Moisture Needs: Very drought tolerant once established; do not overwater
• Mulch: Apply a 3–4 inch deep layer of bark mulch to retain moisture and insulate roots; compost is beneficial at planting time
• Fertilization Needs: Rarely needs fertilizer; avoid high-nitrogen blends
• Pruning Info: Prune in early spring to encourage fresh growth; shear in mid-summer if it becomes leggy
• Renewal Pruning: Every 2–3 years, cut back hard in spring to rejuvenate
• Special Needs/Perks:
• Deer and rabbit-resistant, pest and disease-resistant
• Handles salty air
• Thrives in poor soil
• Heat and drought tolerant
• Dislikes wet feet

A Castle-Worthy Silver Lining

Powis Castle Wormwood is a regal choice for gardeners who love shimmer without the fuss! Let this silvery shrub rule over your sunny garden beds with grace, fragrance, and textural charm.

Buy now and Nature Hills will ship at the proper planting time for your zone, ensuring your new garden treasure arrives ready to thrive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Powis Castle Wormwood invasive?
No, it's a sterile hybrid and does not self-seed or spread aggressively.

Is Powis Castle Wormwood evergreen?
It is semi-evergreen in zones 7–9 and may die back in colder zone 6, but it returns each spring!

Does Powis Castle Wormwood bloom?
It rarely blooms; small yellow flowers may appear in late summer, but they are often removed to maintain foliage quality.

Can Powis Castle Wormwood be grown in containers?
Yes, as long as they have excellent drainage—perfect for raised planters or terracotta pots.

How big does Powis Castle Wormwood get?
It reaches 2–3 feet tall and spreads up to 6 feet wide.

Why is it called Powis Castle?
It was discovered in the gardens of Powis Castle in Wales and has since become a garden classic!

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