skip to main content

Texas Gardening

Gangly Artemesia

16 years ago

Can I prune artemesia to keep it looking neat? I guess b/c of all the rain it is looking gangly. The top is nice, grey and healthy looking but the bottom is ragged and black. One of my plant books says to clip it at the end of may for "a neat appearance". Thoughts?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (14)

debndal
16 years ago
I don't grow it anymore, but when I did, I cut it back about 1/2 when it started to get too leggy. It will really thicken up if you do.
Vulture61
16 years ago
Like debdal, I also stopped growing it, but when I did, I whacked it down to a couple of inches in spring and it grew back in no time. Go ahead and beat the thing out of her.

Omar
Related Discussions
Poppies, everyone loves them, why don't I? [g]
Q
Comments (16)
Hi Dee :-) I started mine late too. I had a Fancy Mix and some of the poppies were really pretty. They do only last for a day each, and I understand they don't make good cutting flowers either. I can imagine the petals falling off by the end of day one in a vase. I have heard people suggest burning the end of the stem with a match but don't know if that improves their vase life. Never tried it. I didn't get any large animals messing them up, and I was blaming the rain for awhile, but I was out looking at them yesterday and wow, this latest heat wave has really hit them hard. They look even worse. I think they are just finished flowering and dying back and they would have done that regardless. Maybe not as floppy if there wasn't as much rain, but in New England, this is our weather..lol. Crazy, but it's always something I will also give them another try next year and plan to put them in a different location and put them between and among other plants to see if that makes a difference, and pull them when they start to get ratty. Did you have a favorite? I want to try Patty's Plum next year and Black Peony. I am going to winter sow them a little differently. Going to pull them this week. Supposed to get a lot of rain later today. Thanks Dee :-)
...See More
August Garden Report
Q
Comments (6)
Thank you, Gean, for that suggestion. I hadn't checked the seed forums - don't know why, but I spend my forum time on the antique roses or the Texas gardening forums. I have now checked out the winter sowing and the growing from seed forums. I found a little info. Then I went to the hibiscus forum and found much info about all the Malvaceae including the one I was looking for. I won't say much more here since this forum is dedicated to ogrs (even though sometimes the members touch on other things to grow with their roses). I just want to thank you for spurring me on to do something about getting these seeds and not just wishing for them. Thank you Renee for your kind thoughts as well.
...See More
what plants are you 'editing' this spring?
Q
Comments (21)
I dug up two Lady Banksia roses as the huge roots were undermining our fence and our house! Those ladies are STRONG! I'm preparing to shovel prune my Knock Out roses in the future. I've planted crepe myrtles along my cottage fence. When those provide enough shade in the cottage garden, then I'm digging out the KOs because the Japanese Beetle fight makes the roses not worth it anymore. Nepeta note -- I have 'Six Hills Giant' and 'Walkers Low'. Of the two, the Six Hills is fabulous, but Walkers Low has never put on as good a show or shape as the Six Hills. Both are loved by bees and they'd be terribly upset with me if I got rid of those. That said, I have the space for them, too. After more than 90 days of temperatures over 90 degrees last summer and the fact that we are already in SEVERE DROUGHT here, I've made the decision to not add any new varieties of plants to the garden. I will only increase numbers of existing plants that sailed through the heat unscathed -- agastache, salvia, Russian sage, flax, buddleia, lavender, stachys, gaillardia, coneflowers, sedum, coreopsis and shastas. I'm already having to water the garden to try to keep my spring flower seedlings growing. It's so dry! Cameron
...See More
Pinch and poke,have you tried?
Q
Comments (46)
I finally got around to figuring out the photo thing, thanks Wantoretire! I'm attaching a link to my first batch of pinch and poke (recovering mother plant lower right). That was over a year ago now. I kept those plants inside and planted them outside this past spring and had gorgeous beds. I wish I had taken photos of their peak. Next spring I don't believe I will have to buy very many new plants, because I brought several pots inside from which I plan on taking many many cuttings from, I'm shooting for 2 dozen 5 inch pots!! Right now they are gracing my sunny dining room, and doing great. If I keep this up I'm going to need a sun room! I'm also trying Petunias, and Geraniums, and might even try starting from seed. That's my next adventure. Cheers Here is a link that might be useful:
...See More
jolanaweb
16 years ago
I agree, even if you cut it way back, it will be back fast and full. The cuttings will root very easily also.
melvalena
16 years ago
Yep, whack it back all the way and in a matter of a few weeks you'll have a full upright bush again.

Everything you whack off will root easily.
ltcollins1949
16 years ago
I hate to sound dumb, but which artemesia are you talking about? There are about 300 species of them, with some of them needing pruning and others not.
roselee z8b S.W. Texas
16 years ago
I was wondering the same thing, Itcollins. I grow Powis castle artemesia and everthing mentioned above is true about it. It's a wonderful filler plant the soft grey foliage making a great backdrop for almost anything. You can plant it under roses without it interfering with their roots and growth.

Here is a link that might be useful: Powis castle artemesia
jolanaweb
16 years ago
That is the one I was talking about or wormwood, lol
I just assumed it was that because you always have to cut it back
melvalena
16 years ago
If its ugly and gangly, it needs cutting back no matter what kind it is. :)
mommyfox
16 years ago
This is only a LITTLE bit of a hijack - how do you guys recommend rooting cuttings from artemesia? Stick 'em in water, water with fertilizer, dip in rooting hormone and put in soil, which method do you use?
jolanaweb
16 years ago
Mommyfox, I am far from an expert but I just strip all but a couple of leaves on apx 6-8" piece and stick in potting soil al the way up to leaves and they always root. If you look under your plant, you might have some already rooted
jolana
roselee z8b S.W. Texas
16 years ago
Powis castle artemesia is a great filler for flower arrangements. Funny thing is that by the time the arragement is taken out of the vase to throw away the stems of Powis castle have developed roots! It roots that easy.
melvalena
16 years ago
I root mine either in water or soil. Either way, they root. Its easier to see the roots if they are in water.
User
16 years ago
Just curious, why have y'all quit growing it?
Vulture61
16 years ago
It's a nice plant but it has kinda dull and boring looking after a while. While I had it in the old house I didn't have the heart to get rid of it because it's nice, fragrant, evergreen, drought tolerant and dependable, but when I moved I never looked for her anymore. Kinda like why a middle age man leaves his dependable, faithful wife for the younger, lively waitress (so glad my wife is not a "garden weber") :D

Omar

Related Stories

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Get Along With Less Lawn — Ideas to Save Water and Effort

By Jocelyn H. Chilvers

Ditch the mower and lower your water bill while creating a feast for the eyes with diverse plantings and gathering places

Sponsored

More Discussions

Placing the TV on the wall and designing the artificial stone behind t

1

If anyone still reads here …

5

Costco bareroots in TX -- 2 plants $16

2

Crossvine oddness

4

iris not blooming well

8