Wormwood 'Lambrook Silver' Artemisia absinthium 'Lambrook Silver'

Names

• Synonyms

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

• Common names

  Artemisia absinthium 'Lambrook Silver'.

Characteristics

• Life cycle

  Perennials

• Foliage type

  Deciduous

• Color of leaves

  Silvery-green

• Height

  2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 meters)

• Spread

  2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 meters)

• Plant type

  Herb

• Hardiness zones

  4-9

• Native area

  Europe

General Benefits

• Ornamental Appeal: 'Lambrook Silver' adds aesthetic value to gardens with its finely textured, silvery-grey foliage and graceful habit.
• Drought Resistance: As a hardy herbaceous plant, it is well-suited to withstand periods of limited water supply.
• Culinary Use: The leaves of Artemisia absinthium, commonly known as wormwood, are sometimes used in small quantities to flavor certain spirits and dishes, although it should be used cautiously due to its potency.
• Attracts Wildlife: The plant can attract beneficial insects such as pollinators to the garden due to its flowers.
• Companion Planting: Wormwood may be used in companion planting to deter pests from more susceptible plants in the garden.
• Soil Improvement: It can help improve soil quality and structure over time as its roots system breaks up the soil, allowing for better water and air penetration.
• Erosion Control: The extensive root system of Artemisia absinthium helps to stabilize the soil and can be used to prevent erosion.
• Low Maintenance: This variety generally requires minimal care once established, making it a good choice for low-maintenance landscaping.
• Aromatic Qualities: Its leaves have a strong, characteristic aroma that can be pleasant in the landscape and can act as a natural deterrent to certain pests.
• Long Blooming: It produces small, yellowish flowers that can add subtle color to the garden for an extended period during the summer.
• Herbal History: Wormwood has a rich history of use in traditional practices, and adding it to a garden can provide a connection to herbal heritage.

Medical Properties

• Antiparasitic: Wormwood, the common name for Artemisia absinthium, has been traditionally used to expel parasitic worms (vermifuge).
• Antimicrobial: The plant has been assumed to possess antimicrobial properties that may combat certain bacteria and fungi.
• Appetite stimulant: It may enhance appetite and digestive function in some traditional medical systems.
• Bitter tonic: As a bitter, it has been used to stimulate bile secretion and support liver and gallbladder function.
• Antispasmodic: It may offer relief from certain types of spasms or stomach cramps.
• Menstrual cycle regulation: Wormwood has been used in herbal medicine to stimulate menstrual flow and alleviate associated menstrual disorders.
• Anti-inflammatory: Contains compounds that may reduce inflammation in the body, although this property is subject to further scientific investigation.

Air-purifying Qualities

This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.

Other Uses

• Insect Repellent: Artemisia absinthium 'Lambrook Silver', commonly known as wormwood, can be planted in gardens to naturally repel insect pests like moths and aphids due to its strong aromatic properties.
• Moth Protection for Woolens: Dried wormwood leaves can be placed with woolen clothes to prevent moth damage, harnessing the plant's natural insect-repellent qualities.
• Companion Planting: Wormwood can be used in companion planting to enhance the growth of certain vegetables like carrots and onions by deterring pests that might otherwise harm them.
• Decorative Dry Arrangements: The silvery foliage of wormwood makes it an attractive addition to dried floral arrangements, adding both color and a unique texture.
• Habitat for Beneficial Insects: Planting wormwood in a garden can provide a habitat for beneficial insects, such as predatory wasps that control pest populations.
• Fence Line Planting: Due to its hardy and fast-growing nature, wormwood can be used to establish quick-growing green barriers along fence lines.
• Soil Improvement: As a deep-rooted plant, wormwood can help break up compacted soil, improving soil structure and health over time.
• Crafts Application: The stems and leaves of wormwood can be incorporated into homemade potpourris or used to make decorative wreaths and other craft items.
• Livestock Forage Deterrent: When in proximity to forage areas, the bitter taste of wormwood can discourage livestock from overgrazing on more desirable forage plants.
• Culinary Uses: Although not frequently used due to its bitterness, wormwood can be added in small quantities to certain alcoholic beverages, such as vermouth and absinthe, to achieve a distinct flavor.

Feng Shui

Wormwood is not used in Feng Shui practice.

Zodiac Sign Compitability

Wormwood is not used in astrology practice.

Plant Symbolism

• Protection: Historically, Artemisia absinthium, commonly known as Wormwood, has been used to create a protective barrier against evil spirits and harmful energies.
• Healing: Wormwood has been associated with medicinal properties and healing, particularly in digestive ailments, due to its bitter nature which stimulates digestion.
• Bitterness: The plant itself is quite bitter; symbolically, it can represent the idea of life's bitterness or difficult times one needs to go through.
• Creativity: The use of wormwood in the production of absinthe, a spirit believed to stimulate the mind and creativity among artists and writers, extends its symbolic meaning to creativity and inspiration.
• Purification: Wormwood has been used in various cultures for its cleansing properties, both physically and spiritually, symbolizing an act of purification.