Artemisia arborescens

A shrubby perennial of the Asteraceae family, Artemisia arborescens is native to the Mediterranean basin, from the Iberian Peninsula to the coasts of North Africa and the Near East. It naturally grows in garrigue, open maquis, coastal cliffs, and sunny rocky terrains, from sea level up to a few hundred meters in altitude.

It develops a bushy and rounded habit, distinctly woody at the base, reaching 80 cm to 1.5 meters in height depending on exposure and climate. Its foliage is among the most finely cut of the genus: the leaves, deeply lacinated into filiform segments, are covered with a silky tomentum of a bright silvery-white, almost pearly, which constitutes the main attraction of the plant throughout the year.

The capitula, small and globular, pale yellow, are gathered in branched panicles; they emit a powerful and camphoraceous aroma characteristic of the genus. In its natural habitat, its flowering extends from July to September.

It requires well-drained soil, dry to fresh, in full sun exposure; it poorly tolerates prolonged cold and wet winters. In regions with severe frost, winter protection or pot cultivation is necessary.