Artemisia 'Powis Castle' or Mugwort, also known as Wormwood, is an easy perennial plant to grow. It has silvery feathery foliage which goes well with almost any plant but looks especially good when planted among pink, burgundy, or blue flowering perennials.

It must have a sunny spot in well-drained soil.

It will get up to 3 feet tall and has flowers from late July to the beginning of September. The flowers are nondescript, though. You grow Artemisia mainly for the silver foliage.

Artemisia Powis Castle is actually considered a woody perennial and therefore should not be cut down to the ground in the spring like herbaceous perennials. Merely trim off any brown or drooping stems and let it go.

It also doesn’t really like to be moved. So decide on a location for it and leave it there!

There are many different types of Artemisia, but Powis Castle was named after the medieval castle in Wales. The castle was built circa 1200 by Welsh princes. The castle is now owned by the National Trust, and can be visited year-round, although hours are reduced in winter.

The 26 acres of gardens were probably built around the end of the 17th century. This makes them one of the few gardens surviving intact from that period, so it’s especially important to preserve them.

The most spectacular feature of the property is the terraced hanging gardens set on a steep slope below the castle. Here you’ll find one of the most famous features of Powis castle – the ancient yews. There are 14 topiary yew trees, which are over 300 years old and take six weeks to trim every year. There’s also an equally old yew hedge, an orangery, and an aviary. The view from the terrace of the surrounding countryside is breathtaking.

The terrace gardens are so steep that they can be treacherous and should only be attempted by the sure-footed visitor.

Other beds include herbaceous borders, roses, and fuschia. Original sculptures reflect the Italian influence on the design of the gardens.

Conclude your visit to Powis Castle with a restful woodland walk, through acres of rhododendrons.