Dill tree: description, cultivation and care with photo

Dill tree or God's tree is a perennial plant, reaching a height of 150 cm. It has silvery, pinnately dissected leaves.

Scientifically in botany, it is called Artemisia abrotanum - medicinal wormwood or abrotan. It is rarely found in garden plots, but if planted correctly and looked after in a timely manner, the bushes will feel good even in winter.

History of Appearance

In many countries, the plant has gained great fame. Some scientists suggest that it originated from Asia Minor or the Mediterranean countries.In Europe, it has been grown since the end of the 16th century. A century later, the Abrotan was brought to North America. It came to Russia during the reign of Peter I. Today, on the Black Sea coast and in southwestern Siberia, it is found as a wild species.

God's tree: plant description

On European territory, this variety is the most popular. God tree, like all varieties of wormwood, has a strong smell. The foliage is light green with a silver tint. The plant is especially valuable for its medicinal properties.

What types of Abrotan are known?

The Caucasian wormwood grows in the mountains of southern European countries, the height of which reaches a maximum of 30 cm.

Tarragon is also a species of Abrotan. It has a characteristic aroma and can reach 1 meter. Another name is Tarragon.

Cold wormwood grows in southeastern Russia, the size of which ranges from 7 to 15 cm.

In China, you can find a milky variety of Abrotan. It got this name because of the light-colored flowers.

Wormwood Ludovica variety was brought from North America to many countries. It is distinguished by more branched stems with silver-colored leaves. The height of the bush reaches up to 80 cm.

Schmidt's Wormwood is very popular as an ornamental plant. This shrub grows up to a maximum of 30 cm, has a spherical shape and filiform lacy leaves. It looks very attractive next to other colors.

Features of cultivation

Before planting wormwood, you need to choose a place on the site that is not shaded by trees. Then you need to fertilize the soil with organic substances and carry out neutralization, dolomite flour is well suited for this. For 10 years, the culture grows beautifully in one place without a transplant.

Lighting and wind protection

Abrotan is a southern, heat-loving plant, therefore it grows well in sunny areas. When choosing a landing site, it is important that there is no shading, because the culture does not develop well in the shade. In addition, the dill tree does not like cold northern winds. So that it does not suffer from them, experts recommend planting a plant near trees and tall grasses that can block it from the winds, but not from the sun.

Soil for planting

Before you plant wormwood, you need to fertilize the ground with organic and mineral elements. Acidic soil must be limed, poor - filled with organic matter, dense - with peat and sand.

Technology for planting seedlings

For the reproduction of Abrotan, it is optimal to use the division of the bush. You need to select only mature cuttings. Before planting, pour warm water into the hole, and then lower the plant there. Planting is best done after April 15, so the ground is still wet and the seedling is more likely to take root.

Attention! For the formation of young roots in a seedling, it is recommended to place it in water for a week. This will allow for faster growth of wormwood in the ground.

In the first winter, it is better to cover young bushes, because they are likely to freeze. In the following years, the dill tree will easily be able to withstand cold temperatures of 25 degrees.

Care

Wormwood does not require special care. Good growth can be achieved if:

follow watering recommendations;
loosening the soil;
remove weeds;
fertilize.

How often to water wormwood

Abrotan is a drought tolerant plant. If you water it often, you can seriously harm it. Seedlings require regular watering. In the heat, it is recommended to water the bushes with 3-4 liters of water once every 2 weeks.

Soil care and plant nutrition

Weeds greatly harm the development of the dill tree, so they must be weeded out. This procedure allows the roots of the plant to receive more nutrients.

Also bushes need top dressing, in the form of fertilizer. Botanists advise to periodically pour ash or humus under the wormwood.

Dill Tree Pruning Rules

To achieve faster growth of bushes, you need:

Carry out the procedure at the very beginning of spring, when the cold no longer bothers.
Cut shoots at a height of 3 to 5 cm.
Cut top buds and shoots at the ends of branches, last year's growths.

Methods of reproduction

In central Russia, a crop cannot propagate with its seeds, because they will not be able to ripen in such climatic conditions. Because of this, the bushes divide and plant rooted seedlings.

Dividing the bush

This breeding method is carried out in April. You need to do the following:

choose a large abrotan with a good root system;
dig up a bush and remove the earth from it;
split apart;
dig a few holes, moisten and add humus;
plant wormwood;
water the plants regularly for the first 2 weeks until the roots are strong.

Propagation by layering

This method involves the following steps:

In the middle of May, select shoots 20-30 cm.
Remove all foliage from them.
Make ring cuts and apply growth stimulants to make roots form faster.
Cover with sphagnum moss on top and hold with your hands.
Take a black film, sprinkle it with peat, wrap the shoots at the cut points.
So that it does not slip, fix the top and bottom with electrical tape.
When roots begin to break through the peat, cut off part of the shoot (below the film) and plant it in a pot.

Cutting

The fastest way to propagate wormwood is by planting cuttings. The procedure is quite simple, first you need to moisten and fertilize the soil, then place the seedling. As soon as it has shoots, it means that the roots of the dill tree have become stronger in the ground.

Growing through seedlings

In the south, a crop can be grown from seeds, which are first sown for seedlings, after which they dive and plant in the ground. The whole process takes 25 to 30 days. A year later, he forms a strong bush.

Diseases and pests

Usually, the dill tree is not interested in pests. But still, aphids appear on its foliage from time to time. In this situation, spraying with a solution 3 times with a break of 5-7 days helps.To prepare it, you need to take laundry soap (about 250-300 grams) and dilute it in 10 liters of warm water.

Using dill tree

The greens of the Abrotan bushes are considered an excellent source of essential oils, minerals and vitamins. Cooks and doctors take the tops of the shoots and young leaves of the plant for their own purposes.

Cooking

Selected parts of the dill tree are used as:

spices for preserving vegetables;
additional ingredient in salads;
seasonings for soups;
flavored tea additive.

Fresh leaves are taken in small quantities, as their bitter taste can spoil dishes. But if they are dried, they will not be bitter.

Attention! Do not overuse the plant in food. All varieties of wormwood contain alkaloids that can cause he alth problems.

In landscape design

In garden plots, dill bushes are planted in flower beds among other ornamental crops. Its tart aroma repels insects, and its silvery leaves are in perfect harmony with the flowers. Plants are also used as a living fence or border. They plant trees on terraces, verandas and balconies.

In folk medicine

If you have a toothache, you can rinse your mouth with an aqueous infusion of abrotan leaves. And the decoction can improve digestion.

Dill tree is used as a remedy for anemia, against parasites, various types of pain. Greens are good for sprains and bruises, inflammation.