Wormwood (Artemisia vulgaris 'Cragg-Barber Eye')
Artemisia vulgaris 'Cragg-Barber Eye' (Wormwood) is a textural herbaceous perennial offering golden foliage and robust drought tolerance for sunny, dry spots.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Artemisia vulgaris ‘Cragg-Barber Eye’, commonly known as Wormwood, is a striking herbaceous perennial prized in modern landscaping for its distinctive foliage texture and resilience. This cultivar features golden leaves, providing excellent contrast against greener garden plantings, a notable feature compared to the standard green species. It thrives in challenging conditions, making it an invaluable choice for gardeners dealing with poor, dry soils where many other ornamentals struggle.
While the species Artemisia vulgaris has a long history as a medicinal and flavoring herb, the primary value of Artemisia vulgaris ‘Cragg-Barber Eye’ today lies in its ornamental appeal and low-input gardening requirements. As a rhizomatous perennial, it does require attentive management to control its spread and maintain desirable size.
For gardeners seeking robust, low-maintenance screening or textural elements in full sun, this Wormwood cultivar offers architectural presence from summer through fall. Due to its aromatic foliage, it often remains untouched by common garden pests like deer and rabbits.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Asteraceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 4-8
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 2-4 ft
- Spread: 2-4 ft
- Bloom Time: August to September
- Bloom Description: White
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Dry to medium
- Maintenance Level: Medium
How to Grow
The ideal condition for planting Artemisia vulgaris ‘Cragg-Barber Eye’ is an area receiving full sun, though partial shade is tolerated. Success hinges on providing well-drained soil; this plant performs best in poor to moderately fertile ground. It performs poorly, and is susceptible to root rot, in moist to wet soils, so ensure drainage is excellent before setting out your division.
Water needs are low once established; treat this Wormwood as a drought-tolerant specimen, watering only during extended dry periods. Fertilizing is generally not recommended, as richer soils encourage lush, floppy growth that leads to lodging (stems flopping over) in the summer heat. If stems do begin to flop, especially in areas with high humidity or too much fertility, shearing the plant back halfway can promote a fresh, revitalized appearance.
Propagation is straightforward, accomplished easily through division, which also helps manage its tendency to spread aggressively via rhizomes in the landscape. Gardeners should be prepared to manage this spread, especially if planting near sensitive borders.
Landscape Uses
Artemisia vulgaris ‘Cragg-Barber Eye’ is an excellent selection specifically recommended for areas exhibiting poor, dry soils where many other perennials will fail. Its upright, airy habit makes it perfect for adding vertical contrast in the middle or back of perennial borders, softening hardscaping elements. The golden foliage provides a vital year-round sparkle when paired with plants offering deep greens or purples.
Use this Wormwood cultivar to create textural drifts along dry slopes or in rock gardens where drainage is naturally excellent. Because the species can be considered weedy outside of intentional plantings, utilize its spreading habit deliberately in large, naturalized settings or where aggressive groundcover is desired, rather than in tight, formal beds.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Insignificant
Noteworthy Characteristics
The parent species, Artemisia vulgaris (Wormwood), is recognized by its aromatic, deeply lobed leaves that are dark green above and silvery-white beneath, borne on reddish-brown stems. The cultivar ‘Cragg-Barber Eye’ distinguishes itself by featuring striking golden foliage throughout the growing season and blooming in mid-summer with small, white, astilbe-like plumes. Historically, the species was used to flavor beer and served as a folk medicine remedy, but today it is valued largely for its insect-repelling aroma and hardiness.
Tolerances
- Rabbit
- Deer
- Drought
- Dry Soil
Potential Problems
While generally free from serious insect or disease issues, the primary cultural challenge with Artemisia vulgaris ‘Cragg-Barber Eye’ relates to moisture management and structural integrity. The plant is highly susceptible to root rot if planted in consistently moist or poorly drained soils. Furthermore, vigorous growth, especially when encouraged by richer soil or too much shade, causes the stems to open up and flop during the summer months. To combat this, ensure sharp drainage and maintain a rigorous management plan to shear back sprawling stems if necessary to maintain shape. Be mindful of its rhizomatous spread in the landscape.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Wormwood suitable for?
Artemisia vulgaris ‘Cragg-Barber Eye’ is reliably hardy across USDA Zones 4 through 8.
How large does Artemisia vulgaris ‘Cragg-Barber Eye’ grow?
This herbaceous perennial typically reaches heights between 2 to 4 feet tall, with a similar spread of 2 to 4 feet wide.
When does Wormwood bloom?
This variety produces small white flowers from August into September, typically featuring an astilbe-like plume appearance.
What sun exposure does Artemisia vulgaris ‘Cragg-Barber Eye’ need?
It performs best when positioned in full sun, which helps maintain compact form and vibrant foliage color.
Conclusion
The golden foliage and exceptional drought tolerance make Artemisia vulgaris ‘Cragg-Barber Eye’ a resilient and visually rewarding choice for sunny, dry garden areas. Managing its rhizomatous spread and ensuring excellent drainage are key to long-term success with this Wormwood cultivar. Before planting, confirm your garden site receives sufficient sun and has well-draining soil appropriate for Zones 4-8 planting.
Propagation Tips
Propagating Artemisia vulgaris ‘Cragg-Barber Eye’ is easily managed through simple division, which is best performed in the spring before vigorous new growth begins. Dig up the clump and gently separate sections, ensuring each new division has a healthy root structure attached. This method strengthens the plant and controls its overall size and footprint in the garden, preventing excessive rhizomatous spread that might occur if left undisturbed for too long. Cuttings can also be rooted, though division remains the most reliable technique for maintaining the cultivar’s specific golden characteristics.
Common Mistakes
The most frequent error when growing this Wormwood is providing overly rich soil or excessive water. If the soil retains too much moisture, root rot becomes a serious concern, leading to plant decline. Furthermore, fertile soil encourages rapid, floppy growth, causing the stems of Artemisia vulgaris ‘Cragg-Barber Eye’ to break or lodge in summer heat. Always opt for lean, dry soil conditions, and resist the urge to fertilize heavily; this plant thrives on benign neglect and sharp drainage.
