California Mugwort — Artemisia douglasiana

Artemisia douglasiana

An aromatic native perennial with green leaves that reveal silvery undersides. California Mugwort suits informal habitat planting where its spreading growth has room.

Southern California growing guide

• Light: Sun to light shade.
• Mature size: Generally 3–4 feet tall, sometimes taller with ample water. Colonies can spread 5–8 feet or farther.
• Water & drought: Adaptable to occasional through moderate irrigation, but best where some soil moisture remains. It is naturally associated with streambanks, ditches and moist meadows.
• Soil: Adaptable, including clay; match irrigation to drainage and site moisture.
• Growth: Spreads through underground rhizomes, forming a colony. Small summer flowers are secondary to the foliage.
• Wildlife: Provides cover and seeds for birds; supports butterfly and moth larvae.
• Maintenance: Thin spreading stems and remove old growth as needed. Avoid placing it among small plants that cannot compete with it.
• Landscape uses: Informal meadows, moist swales and broad habitat borders. Choose a contained planting area when spread would be unwelcome.

Representative species photograph, not current nursery stock. Photo: Krzysztof Ziarnek (Kenraiz), CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. No intentional image modifications.