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Artemisia filifolia (Sand Sagebrush)

Sand Sagebrush, Silver Sagebrush, Silvery Wormwood, Sand Sage

Artemisia filifolia, Sand Sagebrush, Silver Sagebrush, Silvery Wormwood, Sand Sage
Artemisia filifolia, Sand Sagebrush, Silver Sagebrush, Silvery Wormwood, Sand Sage

Graceful and windswept-looking, Artemisia filifolia (Sand Sagebrush) is a compact semi-evergreen shrub with pleasantly aromatic, feathery, silver-blue foliage. The arching, slender leaves are long and narrow and emits a sweetly pungent aroma when bruised. Tiny, pale yellow flowers appear in spring and fall, but they are quite inconspicuous. They are followed by seeds which are an important food source for sharptail grouse and other birds. Native to the western plains and much of the Southwest, Sand Sagebrush thrives in deep sandy soils. It is useful for erosion control. It can also be used as an informal hedge or a versatile background for colorful flowering plants. Evergreen except in times of extreme drought.

  • Grows up to 3-4 ft. tall and wide (90-120 cm). May self-sow in optimum growing conditions
  • Thrives in dry, sandy or rocky soils in full sun. Drought tolerant. Too much water induces rank growth.
  • Excellent for banks and slopes (erosion control), xeriscape gardens or as an informal hedge.
  • Shearing ruins the delicacy of the foliage.
  • Propagate by seed.
  • Native from South Dakota to Texas and as far west as Nevada.

Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 8
Climate Zones 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Shrubs
Plant Family Compositae
Genus Artemisia
Common names Sagebrush
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 3' - 4'
(90cm - 120cm)
Spread 3' - 4'
(90cm - 120cm)
Spacing 48" (120cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low
Soil Type Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Showy, Evergreen, Semi-Evergreen
Native Plants United States, Connecticut, New York, Midwest, Southwest, Rocky Mountains, Northeast, Nebraska, Kansas, South Dakota, Texas, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arizona, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil, Clay Soil
Attracts Birds
Garden Uses Banks And Slopes, Ground Covers, Hedges And Screens
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Artemisia absinthium (Wormwood)
Artemisia pycnocephala (Sand Hill Sage)
Artemisia douglasiana (Douglas Mugwort)
Artemisia frigida (Prairie Sagebrush)
Artemisia tridentata (Big Sagebrush)
Artemisia ludoviciana ‘Valerie Finnis’ (White Sage)

Recommended Companion Plants

Yucca elata (Soaptree Yucca)
Verbesina encelioides (Golden Crownbeard)
Prosopis glandulosa (Honey Mesquite)
Bouteloua curtipendula (Side-Oats Grama)
Glandularia bipinnatifida (Prairie Verbena)
Andropogon gerardii (Big Bluestem)

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While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 8
Climate Zones 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Shrubs
Plant Family Compositae
Genus Artemisia
Common names Sagebrush
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 3' - 4'
(90cm - 120cm)
Spread 3' - 4'
(90cm - 120cm)
Spacing 48" (120cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low
Soil Type Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Showy, Evergreen, Semi-Evergreen
Native Plants United States, Connecticut, New York, Midwest, Southwest, Rocky Mountains, Northeast, Nebraska, Kansas, South Dakota, Texas, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arizona, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil, Clay Soil
Attracts Birds
Garden Uses Banks And Slopes, Ground Covers, Hedges And Screens
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Artemisia
Guides with
Artemisia
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Compare Now

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