My introduction to Artemisia 'Powis Castle' was by way of a plant ID class in my landscape design curriculum way back when. I like this tough, drought tolerant perennial.
When we where propagating in the greenhouses, I started a few cuttings just for the heck of it. They did well, and I ended up packing those tough little mother plants around with me from ranch to ranch.
When they got big enough I would plant them out in the garden to use as a cover for tulips to grow up through. Gophers don't like Artemisia. Which is nice when you have previously watched expensive tulips suddenly disappear into the soil with a swoosh. The color/texture contrasts between tulips and the fine silvery leafed Artemisia 'Powis Castle' adds interest to the landscape as well.
One of the ranches we lived on had lots of deer, and elk. Overnight they could strip the garden. But, if I planted a scattering of Artemisia they would leave the garden alone.
Insects don't like it either, so I take clippings and throw them in boxes of clothes, books, and linens going into storage. At one time we had a rental storage unit for six months while waiting for the house to be built. I put clippings of it in all the boxes, and had no problems with mice or bugs.
I also put a clipping in each bag of sunflower seeds that I buy to feed the birds. No bugs in the bags or the feeders.
An ancient plant, with many attributes, often over looked today.
