Sweet Annie Artemisia seeds Annua Sagewort WORMWOOD seeds

LATIN NAME: ARTEMISIA ANNUA

COMMON NAME: Sweet Annie

The sweet annie silvers the upright, aromatic annual with the finely divided, feathery leaves of the grey-green and the many small, yellow-green flower heads that open in the loose, branched clusters through the late summer, the foliage silvering the border with the fine texture, the tiny achenes following. The plant grows quickly into the tall, airy clump, and it stands the heat and the dry spells well. It likes the sun, and the well-drained soil.

Scientific Research & Plant Biotechnology

The celebrated anti-malarial compound of the sweet annie gives it a long place in the research on the medicinal aromatics of the great wormwood group, and the annua species appears in the studies of the artemisinin build and the essential-oil chemistry. The work looks at the way the feathery leaves carry the compound, the airy clump build, and the seed biology. The pharmacognosists value the medicinal chemistry, and the growers of the medicinal and ornamental herbs keep the species in their catalogues.

Ecological & Economic Value & Wide Applications

In the sunny border, the sweet annie silvers the summer border with the fine, fragrant leaves. The foliage serves the traditional preparations for the ages, the airy plant makes the fine filler for the vases, and the whole border gains the silver light. It grows well in the well-drained, sunny ground. Silver, fragrant and celebrated.

To grow the Sweet Annie from seed, scatter the seeds over the damp surface of the fine mix, then press them in, keep the tray cool and water lightly, and the seedlings rise within a couple of weeks.

Keep the tray cool and water lightly, and pot the seedlings on as they grow. The silver leaves come within the season. Let the young plants grow on in the sunny, open ground, and the silver leaves will lighten through the season.

Artemisia annua, an annual forb (a broad-leaved herbaceous plant that is not a grass) is commonly known as Sweet Sagewort or Sweet Wormwood. You might hear it called Sweet Annie or Annual Wormwood as well. Artemisia annua, annual, annual… might we mention that it grows for just a single year? With fern-like leaves, the brilliant yellow petals of this flowering plant will draw the eye. No doubt this, coupled with its sweet piney aroma, is why Artemisia is often harvested for cut flower arrangements. A native of distant Asia, it has been adapted here and around the world. It has a strong medicinal scent and is cross-pollinated by mother nature herself, whether in the guise of a subtle breeze or flying insect. Scientists discovered, in the early 70’s, a chemical called artemisinin. This extract is found in the leaves, stems and upper parts of Sweet Wormwood, and it is used today along with other anti-malarials to fight off internal parasitic afflictions. Some might argue that a tea boiled from this Sweet Sagewort is just as effective in fighting malaria but this point is yet to be proven by science. Also known to have anti-cancer properties, scientists are, as we speak, working with Artemisia as a possible combatant of breast, prostate and leukemia cancer cells. The Chinese consume the stems of this plant in salad-like form. It is considered a delicacy and often found to be pricier than meat. Think of the possibilities! Use the cut stems of this elegant herb as a centerpiece for your dinner table… and then serve it as an ingredient!