Russian Tarragon, False Tarragon, Dragon Wormwood, Dragon Sagwort

Artemisiadracunculoides

Family
Asteraceae (ass-ter-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Artemisia (ar-te-MIZ-ee-uh)
Species
dracunculoides (drak-un-kew-LOY-deez)
Synonym
Artemisia dracunculus subsp. dracunculoides
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Foliage
Grown for foliage
Herbaceous
This plant is resistant to deer
Shiny/Glossy
Height
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
Spacing
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 3a: to -39.9 °C (-40 °F)
USDA Zone 3b: to -37.2 °C (-35 °F)
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
Bloom Color
Pale Green
Bloom Time
Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall
Other Details
Category
Herbs
Perennials
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Bronze
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
By dividing the rootball
From softwood cuttings
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
From seed; sow indoors before last frost
From seed; direct sow after last frost
Self-sows freely; deadhead if you do not want volunteer seedlings next season
Seed Collecting
Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Opelika, Alabama

Iowa City, Iowa

Portland, Oregon

York, South Carolina

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Gardener's Notes:

2
positives
2
neutrals
2
negatives
Sort By:
Sort By:
D
York, SC (Zone 8a) | July 2013 | negative

Invasive. No flavor at all.

L
Portland, OR (Zone 8b) | August 2009 | positive

I have to admit I did not grow this for its culinary use, as it is generally inferior to the French, but I have used it in my cooking. Th...Read More

W
(Zone 8a) | May 2006 | negative

I grew this from seed some years ago. I was very disappointed with the lack of flavour of any sort, the smell if anything was slightly b...Read More

R
R
Virginia Beach, VA (Zone 8a) | July 2005 | neutral

Seed frequently sold as Artemisia redowski.

W
| August 2003 | positive

The package said Russian Tarragon; however from what I have read here, it has a faint smell. The plant I have grown has a strong licori...Read More

T
T
Murfreesboro, TN (Zone 7a) | January 2003 | neutral

Not nearly as flavorful as true French Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus), this species has a distinct advantage: it sets viable seed, and...Read More

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