French Tarragon

Artemisia dracunculus var. sativa

Plant Details:

Plant Type: Perennial

Plant Family: Asteraceae

Plant Description: This aromatic clump-forming perennial is most often used as a culinary herb. It has long, thin, bright green leaves, which can be used fresh or dried. The flowers are insignificant and bloom in late summer. Wild tarragon is native to many parts of the world, including Utah, but only this variety is cultivated for its flavor. The seeds are usually sterile, so it is best propagated by cuttings. It can be cut down in late winter or early spring to allow for fresh new growth.

Maintenance:

Maintenance Type: Perennial - Herbaceous

Plant Care: Perennial - Herbaceous (soft-stemmed plants that die back in winter and regrow in spring): Remove spent blooms to promote rebloom later. Some plants tend to flop over after the first bloom and attempt to regrow from the base; in these cases, the old stems can be cut away in summer. As plants become dormant in the fall, remove dead leaves and stems.

Video: Cutting Down Herbaceous Perennials - Spring Cleanup

Plant Attributes:

Mature Size: 3-4' tall x 2-5' wide

Utah Native: No

Nativar: Yes

Plant Select: No

Pollinator Friendly: No

Localscapes: Foundation Plant, Perimeter Plant

Evergreen: No

Foliage Interest: No

Foliage Colors: Green, Light Green

Bloom Colors: Yellow

Bloom Seasons: Late Summer

Bloom Period: Jul - Aug

Erosion Control: No

Ground Cover: No

Foodscape: Yes

Growing Conditions:

Hardiness Zone: 3 to 7

Light Requirement: Full Sun (6+ hrs sun)

Irrigation Requirement:

Moderate (1/2" every 7-10 days)

Salt Tolerant: Unknown

Deer Tolerant: Yes

Garden Location:

Neighborhood Landscapes
- Harvest Haven

Spring
Summer
Fall
Winter