Growing Sweet Annie

For anyone who has been making country or primitive crafts or has even purchased them, you most likely have seen or used Sweet Annie. Sweet Annie is a very simple herb to grow, and if you love the smell or use it frequently, why not grow your own! Below you can find simple instructions on how to seed and grow. Sweet Annie is very hearty so please make sure you allow room for it to grow!

Sweet Annie is a variety of artemisia, or wormwood, often grown for its sweet-smelling leaves and blooms. This herb keeps its scent, which makes it a good choice for fresh flower arrangements. When dried it can be used in wreaths, potpourri or sachets. Sweet Annie is hardy and easily grown in a variety of climates and locations.

Location
Choose a sunny spot in well-drained soil. Partial shade is also acceptable, particularly in hot climates. Sweet Annie can be grown in a raised bed garden, traditional flowerbed or container garden. Use caution when incorporating this herb into a decorative garden, as it grows from 2 feet to 6 feet in height and may block lower plants from view. You also can plant Sweet Annie around a vegetable garden to deter pests. Ensure the soil is well drained, as Sweet Annie does not tolerate wet roots, though it is resistant to most diseases.

Planting
Sweet Annie seeds that are planted outdoors in the fall will grow the following spring. Space seeds 18 to 24 inches apart and sow on the surface. Cover with a light layer of dirt to prevent birds and animals from eating the seeds. No special soil or additives are required to grow this hardy plant. Seeds can also be started indoors during the winter in small containers. Do not overwater when starting seeds indoors. Place the containers outside after any danger of frost has passed. These plants are categorized as annual, but tend to reseed easily under most conditions. Cut the blooms before they go to seed to control natural reseeding.

Uses
Use Sweet Annie to attract bees and butterflies, or as part of a garden designed to attract wildlife. In some climates it may spread quickly and should be strictly controlled to avoid becoming invasive.

Harvest this herb by cutting the stems close to the ground. Sweet Annie blooms are used in fresh arrangements or dried for wreaths. Use caution when considering Sweet Annie for decor, however, as it can trigger allergies. If allergies are a concern, simply spray the herb with a little hairspray before handling.

To dry for use in potpourri, tie the stems together and hang them upside down in a cool, dark location until they are completely dry. Use the woody main stems to create wreaths. Cut the stems to the same length and tie the base together into a single group. Bend the group into a circle and wire them stems together every 6 to 8 inches. Leave the branches and foliage attached to create a fragrant, natural wreath that does not need any additions.