Wormwood 'Lambrook Mist' Artemisia absinthium 'Lambrook Mist'

Names

• Family

  Asteraceae.

• Synonyms

  Wormwood, Absinthe Wormwood, Grand Wormwood, Absinthium, Green Ginger.

• Common names

  Artemisia absinthium 'Lambrook Mist'.

Characteristics

• Life cycle

  Perennials

• Foliage type

  Deciduous

• Color of leaves

  Silvery-green

• Height

  2-3 feet (60-90 cm)

• Spread

  2 feet (60 cm)

• Plant type

  Herb

• Hardiness zones

  4-9

• Native area

  Europe

General Benefits

• Ornamental Value: Artemisia absinthium 'Lambrook Mist', commonly known as Wormwood, adds aesthetic appeal to gardens with its fine-textured, silvery foliage and misty appearance.
• Drought Tolerance: Once established, Wormwood is highly drought-resistant, making it suitable for xeriscaping or gardens with low water availability.
• Pest Deterrent: The strong scent of Wormwood is known to repel various garden pests, acting as a natural deterrent without the need for chemical repellents.
• Erosion Control: Wormwood can help stabilize soil and prevent erosion due to its hardy and robust growing habits.
• Companion Planting: When used in companion planting, Wormwood can benefit nearby plants by deterring pests and potentially improving soil quality.
• Low Maintenance: This plant requires minimal care once established, making it ideal for gardeners who prefer low-maintenance landscapes.
• Wildlife Attraction: While it repels pests, the Wormwood plant may attract beneficial insects, which can contribute to the ecological balance of a garden.
• Adaptable: Wormwood can thrive in a range of soil conditions, from poor to moderately fertile, and can tolerate various climates.
• Seasonal Interest: This particular cultivar of Wormwood can provide visual interest throughout the growing season and even adds winter texture when many other plants have died back.
• Hedge or Border Plant: Due to its height and dense growth, Wormwood can be used effectively as a hedge or border plant to define garden spaces.
• Culinary Use: Though this list is excluding medicinal properties, it's worth noting that Wormwood has a history of use in culinary applications, particularly in flavoring spirits and bitters.

Medical Properties

• Antiseptic: Historically used for its antiseptic properties to help cleanse wounds.
• Antispasmodic: Can provide relief from muscle spasms and stomach issues.
• Antihelminthic: Used traditionally to expel parasitic worms and other internal parasites.
• Antimalarial: Contains compounds like artemisinin, which have been used to treat malaria.
• Bitter tonic: Acts as a digestive stimulant and can improve appetite and digestion.
• Menstrual cycle regulator: Has been used to induce menstruation and ease dysmenorrhea.

Air-purifying Qualities

This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.

Other Uses

• Wormwood 'Lambrook Mist' can be used as a natural insect repellent in gardens to protect other plants due to its strong aromatic compounds.
• Dried wormwood leaves can serve as a moth deterrent when placed in wardrobes or drawers, keeping clothes free from moth damage.
• A concentrated infusion of wormwood can be applied to unsealed wood as a natural wood preservative and to prevent woodworm.
• The plant is sometimes used in companion planting to enhance the growth and flavor of vegetables like carrots and tomatoes.
• Wormwood can be included in compost activator mixes to speed up the decomposition process due to its high nitrogen content.
• Some artists use the plant in the preparation of natural green pigments for painting due to its chlorophyll-rich leaves.
• The distinct silvery foliage of wormwood is used in ornamental dry flower arrangements for its aesthetic value and longevity.
• Wormwood can be used to create a natural garden pathway barrier as its strong scent can deter small animals from crossing.
• The plant's bitter taste makes it useful as a natural deterrent for domestic animals to discourage them from chewing on garden plants or furniture.
• In the past, wormwood has been used to flavor and preserve beer before the widespread use of hops.

Feng Shui

The Wormwood is not used in Feng Shui practice.

Zodiac Sign Compitability

The Wormwood is not used in astrology practice.

Plant Symbolism

• Protection: Historically, Artemisia absinthium, commonly known as wormwood, was thought to ward off evil spirits and misfortune. It was often used in rituals and amulets for protection.
• Healing: Known for its medicinal properties, wormwood has been used to remedy various ailments, symbolizing healing and physical well-being.
• Bitterness: The plant’s bitter flavor lends to its symbolic association with bitterness and sorrow in life, often reminding individuals of the harsher aspects of existence.
• Absence: In the language of flowers, wormwood can represent absence or the loss of something or someone.
• Creativity: The use of wormwood in the production of absinthe, a spirit associated with artists and writers, imbues it with the symbolic meaning of inspiration and creativity.