Artemisia douglasiana, Mugwort

Mugwort is a fast-growing shrub used primarily for its aromatic gray foliage which makes a lovely contrast with other plants. The beautiful, silver-gray leaves add texture and color to the garden. It grows to 4 feet high by 5 feet wide and will spread by underground rhizomes, especially in moist areas. The flowers are small and not particularly showy.

Artemisia douglasiana is native to many plant communities where there is at least some year-round moisture such as streams and riverbanks, road cuts, ditches, and moist meadows, but will tolerate drier conditions. It gets 3–4 ft. tall and spreads to form a colony. Well-watered plants can grow even taller. It does best in the sun but will tolerate shade. Cut back in the winter and it will resprout in the spring.

Mugwort is useful in restoration projects and for erosion control, and it has a long history of medicinal uses. Various insects are attracted to the flowers and it hosts a likely total of 28 species of butterflies and moths. Deer resistant.