Tarragon French

Description

Artemisia dracunculus – French tarragon

Botanical name: Artemisia dracunculus
Common names: French tarragon
Family: Asteraceae (daisy family)
Plant type: Herbaceous perennial herb
Habit: Upright, bushy
Pot size: 9cm pot
Eventual size: Approx. 45–60cm tall × 30cm spread
Foliage: Narrow, smooth, aromatic green leaves with a distinctive sweet, aniseed scent
Flowers: Rarely flowers in the UK, and seldom sets viable seed; grown for its aromatic foliage
Scent: Aromatic, sweet aniseed-scented foliage
Aspect / light: Full sun
Soil: Sharply drained; poor to average; dislikes wet; any pH
Hardiness: RHS H5 (hardy, to about −15°C) with sharp drainage; can be short-lived in cold, wet gardens; USDA zones 6–9
Exposure: Warm, sheltered, sunny
Native range: Native to Europe and Asia
Toxicity / pet & child safety: Generally considered non-toxic to people and pets

Artemisia dracunculus, French tarragon, is a choice aromatic herb with narrow green leaves carrying a distinctive sweet aniseed scent. It needs a warm, sunny, sharply drained spot to thrive, and is propagated by division, not seed.

GardenAdvice notes

The true French tarragon is a choice, superior aromatic herb, prized for its narrow green leaves and their distinctive, refined sweet-aniseed scent. Unlike the coarser Russian tarragon, it rarely flowers and does not come true from seed, so it is always propagated by division or cuttings. It needs a warm, sunny, sharply drained position and a little care over winter, but rewards with the finest flavour and aroma of its kind.

Growing & planting

Plant in spring in sharply drained, poor to average soil in full sun, in a warm, sheltered spot — it dislikes cold, wet, heavy ground, which is the main cause of failure. Improve heavy soil with plenty of grit, or grow it in a container. Space about 30cm apart.

Care & maintenance

Water in dry spells while in growth, but keep it on the dry side, especially over winter, as wet is far more dangerous than cold. Cut back the old growth in autumn or late winter. Protect the crown over winter with a dry mulch in cold gardens, or move pots under cover. Lift and divide every two to three years in spring to keep it vigorous, as it tends to tire.

Propagation

• Division: Lift and divide the clumps in spring — the standard method for true French tarragon.
• Cuttings: Take softwood cuttings in early summer.
• Note: French tarragon rarely sets viable seed and does not come true from seed, so avoid seed-raised plants, which will be the inferior Russian tarragon.

Pests & diseases

Generally trouble-free in a warm, well-drained spot. Its main enemy is cold, wet winters, which cause rot and loss, so sharp drainage and winter protection are important. It naturally tires after a few years, so divide regularly.

Uses in the garden

Best in a warm, sunny, sharply drained herb garden or border, or in a container that can be given winter protection, where its refined aromatic foliage can be enjoyed.

Wildlife value

Grown for its foliage, it offers little for pollinators directly, as it rarely flowers.

Toxicity & safety

This herb is generally regarded as non-toxic to people and pets.

GardenAdvice tip

This is the true French tarragon, far superior to the coarse Russian sort — and the key thing to know is that it’s always grown from division or cuttings, never seed (seed-raised ‘tarragon’ is always the inferior Russian type). Give it a warm, sunny spot with really sharp drainage, keep it dry over winter, and divide it every couple of years, as it tends to lose vigour.

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