Artemisia dracunculoides Russian Tarragon

Artemisia dracunculoides Russian Tarragon is a hardy, vigorous perennial herb known for its impressive resilience and ability to thrive in climates where the more delicate French Tarragon fails. Growing robustly to heights of 3 to 5 feet with a branching spread of 2 to 3 feet, this variety produces an abundance of slender, bright green leaves. While it offers a milder flavor profile than its French cousin, Russian Tarragon is highly valued for its reliability, rapid growth from seed, and consistent productivity throughout the growing season.

 

Culinary and Practical Uses

• Used fresh or dried to season salads, vinegars, pickles, and mild sauces, offering a light, grassy herbal note.
• Serves as an excellent alternative for gardeners in colder zones (USDA 3-4) where French tarragon cannot survive winter; it is widely appreciated for its hardiness.

• Traditionally used in herbal medicine as a digestive aid and a general tonic to stimulate appetite

 

Characteristics

• Foliage: Narrow, lance-shaped, bright green leaves that are slightly rougher in texture than French tarragon, possessing a mild, fresh aroma.
• Growth Habit: Tall, erect, and shrub-like perennial that branches freely; can become quite expansive and may require staking if grown in rich soil.
• Flowers: Produces clusters of tiny, inconspicuous greenish-yellow spherical blooms in late summer, which add texture to the back of the garden border.
• Seeds: Unlike French tarragon (which is sterile), Russian tarragon produces viable seeds that are easy to harvest and sow for new plants.

 

Growing Requirements

• Sun: Requires full sun for healthy growth; plenty of light helps concentrate the essential oils in the leaves.
• Soil: Thrives in poor, sandy, or light well-draining soil; rich, overly fertile soil can cause the plant to grow too fast and lose flavor.
• Water: Drought-tolerant once established; allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings to prevent root rot.
• Spacing: Plant seeds or seedlings 18 to 24 inches apart to accommodate its vigorous, shrubby mature size.
• Maintenance: Prune frequently to encourage bushier growth and prevent the plant from becoming leggy or flopping over; cut back to the ground in late autumn or early spring.

 

Shipping Info Russian Tarragon seeds ship as fresh, high-quality, viable seeds that are carefully packaged for stability and protection from damage during transit. Prompt shipping supports reliable germination and seasonally appropriate planting.