California Mugwort (Artemisia douglasiana)

California Mugwort (Artemisia douglasiana) is a fast growing shrub chosen primarily for its aromatic gray foliage which makes a year round contrast behind 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 inconspicuous, often not producing viable seed. It does best in the sun but will tolerate shade. As it is native to riverbeds and other moist places it is vigorous if given water, but will tolerate drier conditions.  Dead stems cut back in the winter will resprout in the spring. Mugwort is sometimes grown for medicinal purposes. It is also useful in restoration projects and for erosion control. Various insects are attracted to the flowers and it hosts a likely total of 28 species of butterfly and moth. From Calscape.

Grower: Larner Seeds

Other Names Used: Mugwort, Douglas' mugwort

Family: Asteraceae

Life Cycle: Perennial

Plant Type: Herb

Sun Exposure: Full, Partial, Shade

Bloom Period: Spring, Summer, Fall (May to October)

Bloom Color(s): Yellow, Cream

Plant Height: 8 feet tall

Plant Width: 8 feet wide

California Regions:

• San Francisco Bay Area
• North Coast
• Central Valley
• Sierra Foothills
• Sierra Nevada
• Central California Coast
• Southern Coast
• Southern California Inland
  

Ecological Benefits:

• Deer Resistant
  
• Attracts pollinators, birds, wildlife, bats
  

Ecological Functions:

• Grows in Containers
  
• Living Fence
• Erosion Control

Habitat Type:

• Chaparral
• Coastal Grassland
• Valley Grassland
• Oak Woodland 
• Yellow Pine Forest

Human Uses/Cautions: Medicinal

Skill Level: Beginner

Seed Pretreatment: None