Artemisia absinthium WORMWOOD (100 seeds)

Wormwood, absinth also known by its Latin name Artemisia absinthium, is a small, hardy perennial shrub belonging to the Asteraceae family. This herbaceous plant can reach 1 meter in height and 80 cm in width at adult size.

The shrub's leaves are deeply lobed and divided, giving them a very feathery appearance. They are silvery-green due to fine hairs on the surface that reflect light. These fragrant leaves can reach up to 20 cm in length, and their surface is covered with small glands that secrete essential oils.

Its flowers generally appear in summer, between June and August. They are grouped into small cluster-like inflorescences called flower heads (capitula). The flowers range in color from pale yellow to yellow-green.

Common wormwood seeds are very fine, oval, yellow in color, and measure about one millimeter in length. They are primarily dispersed by the wind.

- Uses:

Absinthe, or Grand Wormwood, is an iconic perennial shrub of traditional rectory gardens. Instantly recognizable by its deeply lobed silvery foliage and powerful aromatic scent, it brings a touch of light to flowerbeds with its grey-white reflections.

Absinthe in the garden:

It is a precious ally for organic gardeners. Due to its high content of bitter principles, absinthe is traditionally used as a fermented tea or maceration to naturally repel certain insects (such as codling moths or cabbage whites) and protect neighboring crops.
To fight rust, let 1 kg of fresh leaves ferment in 10 L of water, then wait a few days before filtering the liquid and spraying it on the infected aerial parts.

History and Tradition:

Famous for inspiring 19th-century poets and artists, it is at the heart of the production of the famous 'Green Fairy' liqueur. It is an essential collector's plant for any enthusiast of historical botany and ancient pharmacopoeia plants.

- Germination and Sowing:

• The best time to sow wormwood is in autumn.
• Sow the seeds by sprinkling them in a seed tray onto fine potting soil without covering them.
• Gently press down on the substrate with your hands.
• Water manually using a spray bottle.
• Place the tray in a cold greenhouse during the autumn period.
• Germination will begin naturally from April to May.
• Stratification can also be done during the year by placing the seed tray in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 weeks before following the same process.

- Soil Type:

It does not require a specific type of soil. However, it prefers good garden soil and requires excellent drainage.

- Temperatures:

This beautiful Mediterranean plant grows in warm locations; it thrives when temperatures range from 15°C to 30°C. It tolerates drought and heat well. It also has good cold resistance and can easily withstand negative temperatures down to -10°C.

- Watering:

Silver wormwood requires little watering; twice a week is sufficient during the summer. In winter, it does not need watering as it enters a period of vegetative dormancy.

- Light:

This aromatic plant should be exposed to bright light or partial shade. The more light it receives, the more it will flourish. Regarding artificial lighting, HPS or MH lamps are preferred.