Artemisia 'Powis Castle'

Artemisia 'Powis Castle' is one of those plants that quietly improves everything around it. Forming a low, rounded mound of beautifully finely divided, silvery foliage, it brings softness, structure and a cool, luminous note to borders, gravel gardens and Mediterranean-style planting. The leaves are wonderfully feathery, almost lace-like, and hold their colour superbly, making Artemisia 'Powis Castle' a valuable foil for roses, salvias, nepetas and other sun-loving companions. In late summer it may produce narrow panicles of small, dull yellow flower-heads, though these are very much a side note. The real attraction of Artemisia 'Powis Castle' lies in its foliage, which looks elegant for months on end.

As an evergreen dwarf shrub, Artemisia 'Powis Castle' earns its keep all year, especially in gardens that need dependable shape and contrast through quieter seasons. Its relaxed, billowing habit softens hard edges beautifully, whether planted near paving, at the front of a border or tumbling gently through gravel. This is also a plant with excellent garden credentials, having received the RHS Award of Garden Merit, which tells you it is as reliable as it is attractive. Give Artemisia 'Powis Castle' well-drained soil and a bright, open position, and it will settle into a handsome, aromatic clump with very little fuss. Crisp, silvery and endlessly useful, Artemisia arborescens 'Powis Castle' is a subtle classic.