Beach Wormwood, Oldwoman, Dusty Miller
Artemisia stelleriana
Family: Asteraceae or Compositae
What it is like
Bloom Color: Yellow. Main Bloom Time: Mid summer. Form: Spreading or horizontal.
Artemisia stelleriana is an evergreen Perennial growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in) by 0.6 m (2ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3. It is in leaf all year, in flower from July to September, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.
Height (m): 0.5
Where it is found
Sand dunes and coastal cliffs, C. and N. Japan. Naturalized on sand near Marazion in Cornwall.
E. Asia - Japan, Korea, Siberia. Naturalized in Britain.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
Alaska, Asia, Australia, China, Hawaii, India, Japan, North America, Pacific, Siberia, USA.
How it is used
Food
Rating: 1
The leaves are used for flavouring rice dumplings.
Condiment: the various plants that are used as flavourings, either as herbs, spices or condiments.
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating: 3
Plants can be grown as ground cover in a sunny position, they are of sprawling habit. Provides shelter for beneficial invertebrates: insects and other arthropods. A specialist nectary plant. Landscape Uses: Border, Ground cover, Massing, Seashore, Specimen. Some named forms have been selected for their ornamental value. Special Features: Attractive foliage, North American native, Suitable for dried flowers.
Attracts Wildlife: Plants noted for attracting wildlife
Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.
Ground cover: Ground Cover
How it is grown
Requires a well-drained sandy soil and a sunny position. Established plants are drought tolerant. Grows well in maritime areas and in cold gardens. Plants are longer lived, more hardy and more aromatic when they are grown in a poor dry soil. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer. The plant is heat tolerant in zones 7 through 1. (Plant Hardiness Zones show how well plants withstand cold winter temperatures. Plant Heat Zones show when plants would start suffering from the heat. The Plant Heat Zone map is based on the number of "heat days" experienced in a given area where the temperature climbs to over 86 degrees F (30°C). At this temperature, many plants begin to suffer physiological damage. Heat Zones range from 1 (no heat days) to 12 (210 or more heat days). For example Heat Zone. 11-1 indicates that the plant is heat tolerant in zones 11 through 1.) For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is a clumper with limited spread. The root pattern is rhizomatous with underground stems sending roots and shoots along their length.
Propagating it: Seed - surface sow from late winter to early summer in a greenhouse, making sure that the compost does not dry out. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer. Division in spring or autumn. Basal cuttings in late spring. Harvest the young shoots when about10 - 15cm long, pot up in a lightly shaded position in a greenhouse or cold frame and plant them out when well rooted. Very easy.
Best place to grow: Ground Cover; Cultivated Beds;
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: 3-9
Growth: Medium
Soil: Light (sandy), medium
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Dry, moist
Things to keep in mind
Although no reports of toxicity have been seen for this species, skin contact with some members of this genus can cause dermatitis or other allergic reactions in some people.
Its other names
Local names
Dusty Miller, Beach Wormwood, Old woman, Shiro-yomogi.