Artemisia vulgaris 'Mugwort'

[Ex. Co. Durham, England]

Asteraceae: aromatic perennial growing to 1.2 m (4ft) by 0.7 m (2ft 4in), hardy to zone 3, tiny yellow flowers from July to September, red-purple stems and pinnate, dark green leaves, with white undersides. Common on hedge-banks and waysides, uncultivated and waste land, native to most temperate regions of the northern hemisphere, including Britain.

USES:

Aromatic and somewhat bitter, their addition to the diet aids the digestion and so they are often used in small quantities as a flavouring, especially with fatty foods, also used to give colour and flavour to glutinous-rice dumplings, young shoots are used in spring. The dried leaves and flowering tops are steeped into tea, and also as a flavouring in beer, though fell into virtual disuse once hops came into favour. Mugwort has a long history of use in herbal medicine especially in matters connected to the digestive system, menstrual complaints and the treatment of worms, it is slightly toxic, however, and should never be used by pregnant women, especially in their first trimester, since it can cause a miscarriage, large, prolonged dosage can damage the nervous system.

The fresh or the dried plant repels insects, it can be used as a spray but caution is advised since it can also inhibit plant growth, a weak tea made from the infused plant is a good all-purpose insecticide, the essential oil from the plant kills insect larvae, the down on the leaves is said to make a good tinder for starting fires.

GROWING INFORMATION:

Surface sow seeds from late winter to early summer in a greenhouse and do not allow the compost to dry out, when large enough to handle, prick out the seedlings into individual pots, if growth is sufficient, they can be planted out into their permanent positions in the summer, otherwise grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter and then plant them out in the spring. Division in spring or autumn. Basal cuttings in late spring. Harvest the young shoots when about 10-15cm long, pot up in a lightly shaded position in a greenhouse or cold frame and plant them out when well rooted. Very easy.

HARVESTED: 2021

APPROX. 300+ SEEDS