California Sagebrush

Carried by 70 nurseries

Estimated plant range Estimated plant range

Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Plant description

With its aromatic fragrance and threadlike, silvery-green foliage, California Sagebrush (Artemesia californica) is a feast for the senses. This resilient, easy-to-grow shrub thrives in the toughest environments. It's a good choice for dry, sunny, and sloped areas. It tolerates nutrient-poor sandy soil, as long as it's well-draining.

California Sagebrush is extremely drought adapted; some summer water is optional but not required. A little pruning keeps it compact in the garden.

This important coastal scrub plant supports the California gnatcatcher and quail, as well as other bird and insect species.

Plant overview

Plant type

Shrub

Size

1 - 8 ft Tall
4 ft Wide

Form

Mounding, Rounded, Spreading

Growth rate

Fast

Dormancy

Summer Deciduous

Fragrance

Pleasant

Color

Cream, White, Yellow

Flowering season

Spring, Summer, Fall

Special uses

Bank stabilization, Deer resistant, Groundcover

Landscaping information

Sun

Full Sun

Water

Low, Very Low

Summer irrigation

Max 1x / month once established

Ease of care

Easy

Cold tolerance

Tolerates cold to 20° F

Soil drainage

Fast, Medium, Slow

Soil description

Usually found on very dry slopes or sandy soil with low nutrient content, although it is also said to tolerate clay.
Soil PH: 5.0 - 8.0

Sunset Zones

7, 8, 9, 14*, 15*, 16*, 17*, 18*, 19*, 20*, 21*, 22*, 23*, 24*

Natural setting

Site type

Dry slopes and flats, often south facing.

Plant communities

Coastal Scrub, Lowland Chaparral, Maritime Desert Scrub, Sagebrush, Southern Coastal Scrub

Companion plants

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Black Sage (Salvia mellifera), White Sage (Salvia apiana), California Encelia, Chamise (Adenostoma fasciculatum var. fasciculatum), Coyote Brush (Baccharis pilularis ssp. pilularis), California Buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum var. fasciculatum), Sticky Monkeyflower (Mimulus viscidus), Woolly Bluecurls (Trichostema lanatum), Scrub Oaks, Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia), Lemonadeberry, Yucca spp., various cactus species

Chamise

Adenostoma fasciculatum var. fasciculatum

Coyote Brush

Baccharis pilularis ssp. pilularis

California Buckwheat

Eriogonum fasciculatum var. fasciculatum

Toyon

Heteromeles arbutifolia

Wildlife supported

Bats

Birds

Caterpillars

Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

5 confirmed and 21 likely

Confirmed Likely

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Aseptis susquesa

Eupithecia acutipennis

Miodera stigmata

Pero macdunnoughi

Alternative names

Common names:

Coast Sagebrush, Coastal Sage Brush, Coastal Sagebrush

Sources

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Additional references for this page:

Bornstein, C., Fross, D., O'Brien, B. (2011). Reimagining the California Lawn: Water-conserving Plants, Practices, and Designs. Cachuma Press.Artemisia californica / California Sagebrush (1 gallon) - Santa Ynez Valley Botanic Garden. (n.d.). Santa Ynez Valley Botanic Garden. https://www.santaynezvalleybotanicgarden.org/plants-for-sale/artemisia-californica-california-sagebrush