Wormwood (Artemisia 'Tiny Green')
Artemisia 'Tiny Green' Wormwood is a miniature, low-maintenance groundcover noted for its dense, aromatic olive-green foliage.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Artemisia ‘Tiny Green’ Wormwood offers gardeners an exceptionally dense, miniature mat of aromatic foliage, perfect for areas where low growth is paramount. As a desirable herbaceous perennial, this cultivar provides texture and subtle color throughout the season, even when not in bloom. Its compact nature and resilience make it a go-to choice for defined borders and difficult, dry spots in the landscape.
This variety of Wormwood, scientifically known as Artemisia ‘Tiny Green’, typically remains only 2 to 3 inches high while spreading up to 18 inches wide or more, creating a fragrant carpet. It thrives best in conditions that mimic its native dry temperate regions, demanding freedom from excessive moisture for optimal success. Gardeners appreciate its low maintenance needs and attractive olive-green leaves, which release fragrance when brushed against.
Though it develops tiny yellow flowers in mid-summer, the primary appeal of Artemisia ‘Tiny Green’ lies in its exceptional ground-hugging habit and foliage character. It serves functionally as a highly durable, low-growing plant suitable for softening hard edges or filling in between stepping stones, embodying a perfect blend of aesthetic charm and practical utility.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Asteraceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 5-9
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 0-0.25 ft
- Spread: 0.25-1.5 ft
- Bloom Time: July to August
- Bloom Description: Yellow
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Dry to medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Plant Artemisia ‘Tiny Green’ in the spring or fall after the threat of hard frost has passed. The single most critical factor for establishing this Wormwood successfully is ensuring excellent soil drainage. Locate this perennial in a spot receiving full sun, which maximizes foliage aroma and density. It prefers poor to moderately fertile soil but adapts well to various conditions, provided the soil is not poorly draining.
Watering requirements are minimal once established; treat Artemisia ‘Tiny Green’ as drought-tolerant, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. Avoid moist or wet soils entirely, as plants are highly susceptible to fatal root rot in soggy conditions. Fertilizing is generally unnecessary; rich soil can encourage floppiness rather than the desired tight mat habit.
Pruning requirements are generally low for this miniature variety. If the foliage begins to decline due to heat or humidity in mid-to-late summer, a light trim can tidy it up. Be aware that attempting to grow this plant in hot and humid summer climates may result in general foliage decline. Prepare for the season by cleaning up any spent foliage in early spring before new growth emerges.
Landscape Uses
Artemisia ‘Tiny Green’ excels anywhere a fine-textured, extremely low ground cover is needed. Its suggested uses list emphasizes its role in hardscaping environments, making it an excellent choice for softening the edges of retaining walls or filling in the narrow gaps between stepping stones where traditional turf grass struggles. This aromatic Wormwood establishes a durable, low border front.
This perennial also plants beautifully in rock gardens, leveraging its drought tolerance and preference for sharp drainage. When using Artemisia ‘Tiny Green’ to naturalize an area, plant densely enough to ensure the foliage mat covers the soil quickly, suppressing weeds while providing year-round texture contrast against nearby boulders or gravel.
When selecting companions, choose other plants that share its love for full sun and dry conditions, such as Sedum species, certain creeping Thymes, or low ornamental grasses. Avoid planting it near moisture-loving perennials, which will quickly create the damp conditions detrimental to the health of your Wormwood.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Artemisia is a genus containing about 200 species of evergreen and deciduous shrubs, perennials and annuals mostly native to dry temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Many of the species feature aromatic, pinnately divided or finely dissected silvery-green foliage and non-showy flowers. Genus is named for Artemis, Greek goddess of the moon, wild animals and hunting. ‘Tiny Green’ is a miniature Artemisia hybrid that grows to only 2-3” (infrequently to 5”) tall but spreads to 18” wide or more. It is noted for its dense low mat of aromatic olive green leaves which are accented in summer by tiny yellow flowers. Parentage of this plant is unclear. It is sometimes sold in commerce as a cultivar of Artemisia viridis. It is commercially marketed as a STEPABLE plant which will tolerate a limited amount of foot traffic.
Tolerances
- Rabbit
- Deer
- Drought
- Dry Soil
Potential Problems
The main cultural issue with Artemisia ‘Tiny Green’ involves its appearance during peak summer heat; plants tend to open up slightly, losing some of their tight mat density. This is often due to humidity or slightly richer soil than preferred. Maintain its tight habit by ensuring correct cultural conditions—full sun and sharp drainage.
Gardeners should also watch for rhizomatous spread, although given its small stature, this is usually manageable. If the plant spreads beyond its designated area, division or simple edging can control its perimeter. Preventing overly wet soil remains the best preventative measure against all potential health issues for this Wormwood cultivar.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Wormwood (Artemisia ‘Tiny Green’) suitable for?
This herbaceous perennial is suitable for USDA Zones 5 through 9, provided it receives adequate sun and drainage.
How large does Artemisia ‘Tiny Green’ grow?
This miniature variety typically maintains a height between 0 and 0.25 feet, spreading outwards to occupy an area between 0.25 and 1.5 feet wide.
What sun exposure does Wormwood need?
Artemisia ‘Tiny Green’ requires full sun exposure for the best health and most compact growth habit.
When does Wormwood bloom?
Artemisia ‘Tiny Green’ produces its notable yellow blooms during the summer months, typically from July to August.
Conclusion
The exceptional value of Artemisia ‘Tiny Green’ lies in its ultra-low profile, aromatic foliage, and robust tolerance for dry conditions. This specific Wormwood offers a durable, low-maintenance solution for edging and filling crevices where other plants fail to thrive. Before planting, confirm your site provides full sun and excellent soil drainage to ensure your Artemisia ‘Tiny Green’ remains a dense, attractive groundcover for years to come.
Companion Planting
When selecting partners for Artemisia ‘Tiny Green’, focus on plants that thrive in similar dry, sunny environments and enjoy lean soil. Pairing this low-growing Wormwood with stonecrop (sedum) varieties offers a beautiful textural contrast between the fine, silvery-green foliage and the thicker, often succulent leaves of sedums. Look for creeping thyme varieties as well; they share similar cultural needs and create a cohesive, low-maintenance tapestry effect.
Another strong pairing involves using upright but narrow plants that benefit from the horizontal spread of the Artemisia mat. Consider planting Dracaena or low, airy ornamental grasses behind the edge planting. These combinations leverage the full sun requirement and prevent shading out the very low-growing Artemisia ‘Tiny Green’ throughout the active growing season.
Propagation Tips
While Artemisia ‘Tiny Green’ is often purchased as a finished plant, propagation is straightforward for gardeners looking to expand coverage. The primary method for reproducing this perennial reliably is through division in the early spring before active growth begins or in the early fall. Gently lift the clump and separate the runners or crowns, ensuring each division has healthy root material attached.
Stem cuttings taken from new, soft growth in late spring or early summer can also root successfully, though this method requires a bit more attention to humidity to initiate root development. Because the plant forms a dense mat, you may also be able to carefully pull off small offshoots that have rooted slightly away from the main plant mass. Ensure all propagated pieces are planted immediately into sharp-draining media.
