Big Sagebrush
Artemisia tridentata
Also listed as Seriphidium tridentatum
Also known as Sagebrush, Common Sagebrush
Climate Match for your location
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A native drought-tolerant shrub with silvery-gray aromatic foliage and tiny yellow flowers in late summer. Highly adapted to arid and semi-arid regions with minimal water once established.
Why grow it
Big sagebrush outperforms many ornamental shrubs in extreme aridity and poor soil where alternatives struggle. Its fine-textured silvery foliage provides visual contrast in native plant communities and xeriscapes without requiring supplemental fertilizer or regular pruning once established. Unlike some drought-tolerant shrubs, it establishes relatively quickly from nursery stock and supports native wildlife, particularly sage grouse and pollinating insects.
Watch out for
This species can take two to three years to become fully drought-independent, so supplemental water during the first growing season improves survival rates. Big sagebrush prefers well-draining soils and may decline in heavy clay or poorly drained conditions. The root system is relatively shallow compared to some native shrubs, making young plants more vulnerable to displacement by wind or foot traffic in exposed sites.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Asteraceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Western North America
Native to: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming
Seasonality
Harvest Season
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A native drought-tolerant shrub with silvery-gray aromatic foliage and tiny yellow flowers in late summer. Highly adapted to arid and semi-arid regions with minimal water once established.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Big Sagebrush grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Big sagebrush outperforms many ornamental shrubs in extreme aridity and poor soil where alternatives struggle. Its fine-textured silvery foliage provides visual contrast in native plant communities and xeriscapes without requiring supplemental fertilizer or regular pruning once established. Unlike some drought-tolerant shrubs, it establishes relatively quickly from nursery stock and supports native wildlife, particularly sage grouse and pollinating insects.
Watch out for
This species can take two to three years to become fully drought-independent, so supplemental water during the first growing season improves survival rates. Big sagebrush prefers well-draining soils and may decline in heavy clay or poorly drained conditions. The root system is relatively shallow compared to some native shrubs, making young plants more vulnerable to displacement by wind or foot traffic in exposed sites.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Asteraceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Western North America
Native to: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming
Seasonality
Harvest Season
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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