For a long time, the properties of plants have been used in the treatment of many diseases. Tinctures, decoctions, extracts were used. Almost everyone had some knowledge of the power of flowers and herbs. For example, everyone knew that such a plant as wormwood has healing properties, stimulates appetite and fights against neurasthenia.
Wormwood plant
In botany, wormwood is called Artemisia (translated from Latin - “healthy”). And indeed, the healing properties of this plant are recognized not only among traditional healers, but also in official medicine. In addition to the healing and decorative properties, wormwood has many other advantages. For example, it is a spice and is used in cooking to give a spicy taste to dishes.
Wormwood is an annual, biennial or perennial herbaceous or semi-shrub plant in the aster family. Widely distributed in Central Asia, Ukraine, Transcaucasia. Wormwood also grows in the rocky steppes of Africa and North America. The plant is drought- and frost-resistant, which allows it to be grown on poor soils under strong sun and a blown wind
The stems of wormwood are strong, straight, growing depending on the species, with a height of 20-150 cm. The leaves are delicate, small on the top, larger on the bottom, the color varies from gray-green to silver-white. The flowers are small, growing in the form of a basket in a diameter of 1-10 mm. Inflorescences are yellow or slightly reddish, take the form of a spikelet, brush or panicle. Wormwood is decorative throughout the season, unpretentious, drought-resistant.
Varieties
What types and varieties of wormwood exist? Today, there are about 400 different species of this plant, but not more than a dozen are used in gardening. Note the most famous and popular of them: Steller wormwood and Schmidt.
Wormwood Stellerana (Steller)
It is found on the rocks of the Far East, Norway, Japan, Alaska. In addition, Steller's wormwood grows extensively in North America. It is observed in the estuaries, on the dunes, rocks. This is a perennial having open shoots. It grows 30-40 cm high. The foliage is split, silvery. Baskets are small, yellowish, appearing in mid-summer. Peduncles should be cut, otherwise they will close the leaves, which are the main decoration of wormwood.
In order to maintain a compact form, it is recommended to rejuvenate the plant annually by dividing or hilling. Despite the fact that Steller's wormwood is winter-hardy, it can freeze. Great for planting on stone slides and retaining walls, in a gravel garden. Steller's wormwood is excellently combined with fescue blues, cloves, clary sage, creeping gypsophila.
The most common varieties of this type:
- Moris Form ("Maurice Form");
- Silver Brocade (Silver Brocade)
Wormwood Schmidt
This small plant native to the Far East can be found in Japan, Sakhalin and the south of the Kuril Islands. It grows in the mountains on poor soils and on the coast. Wormwood Schmidt is ideal for edgings, borders. It blooms in August.
We have popular varieties:
- Nana ("Nana"). Numerous shoots of this plant form round very openwork bushes or low small and dense curtains, the height of which is 25 cm. The foliage has a silver-green color, cirrus-dissected.
- Powis Castle is a hybrid variety. Has densely leafy shoots, the height of which is 35-40 cm. Foliage is silvery, openwork, cirrus-dissected. Blossoms in July with nondescript yellow flowers.
Wormwood: planting and care
The plant loves sunny areas, grows well on poor dry soils characteristic of wastelands. Sandy drained soil is favorable for it. Wormwood is very resistant to drought. Excess moisture can adversely affect the plant, especially in the cool period of time. In order for the wormwood bushes to be compact and keep in shape, they must be cut and rejuvenated annually. Removal of peduncles is recommended.
Propagated by division of the bush, root segments, seeds. Seeds are sown in a greenhouse in April. Cuttings can be carried out from May to July. To do this, shoots are cut to 8-10 cm and planted in sandy soil. For cuttings do not require special care, they are watered in the same way as adult plants. Next year they can be transplanted to a permanent place.
Almost all varieties and types of wormwood respond perfectly to the haircut, they can be formed from different heights of the composition, they are well combined with many plants. It is only necessary to choose the right combination.