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Artemisia tridentata (Big Sagebrush)

Big Sagebrush, Great Basin Sagebrush, Common Sagebrush, Blue Sagebrush, Mountain Sagebrush

Artemisia tridentata, Big Sagebrush, Great Basin Sagebrush, Common Sagebrush, Blue Sagebrush, Mountain Sagebrush
Artemisia tridentata, Big Sagebrush, Great Basin Sagebrush, Common Sagebrush, Blue Sagebrush, Mountain Sagebrush

Artemisia tridentata (Big Sagebrush) is an evergreen shrub or small tree with gnarled branches clothed with highly aromatic, small, silky, silvery leaves, usually tipped with 3 teeth. The foliage emits sweet, pungent aroma when bruised. Tiny, yellow-green flowers appear in late summer, but they are quite inconspicuous. Big Sagebrush tends to develop a short, twisted trunk with age, becoming quite picturesque in the landscape. Native of the Great Basin region of the West, Big Sagebrush is a valuable forage plant for wildlife, particularly during the winter. In the landscape, it adds texture, light and contrast and offsets colorful plants.

  • Grows up to 3-15 ft. tall (90-450 cm) and 3-10 ft. wide (90-300 cm).
  • Thrives in dry, rocky soils in full sun. Once established it will want little or no irrigation in the summer. Extremely drought tolerant and is susceptible to root rot if the soil is too wet.
  • Excellent for banks and slopes (erosion control), as a groundcover or hedge.
  • Generally pest and disease free. Deer resistant.
  • Periodic pruning to remove old stems rejuvenates the plant.
  • Propagate by stratified seeds or cuttings.
  • Native to the western United States and Canada.

Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 9
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Shrubs, Trees
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' - 15'
(90cm - 4.6m)
Spread 3' - 10'
(90cm - 3m)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Showy, Evergreen
Native Plants United States, Massachusetts, Northeast, California, Midwest, Pacific Northwest, Southwest, Rocky Mountains, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Colorado, Montana, Wyoming
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Attracts Birds, Butterflies
Garden Uses Banks And Slopes, Ground Covers, Hedges And Screens
Garden Styles Mediterranean Garden, Informal and Cottage
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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 filifolia (Sand Sagebrush)
Artemisia ludoviciana ‘Valerie Finnis’ (White Sage)

Recommended Companion Plants

Arctostaphylos glauca (Big Berry Manzanita)
Eriogonum fasciculatum (California Buckwheat)

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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 - 9
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Shrubs, Trees
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' - 15'
(90cm - 4.6m)
Spread 3' - 10'
(90cm - 3m)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Showy, Evergreen
Native Plants United States, Massachusetts, Northeast, California, Midwest, Pacific Northwest, Southwest, Rocky Mountains, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Colorado, Montana, Wyoming
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Attracts Birds, Butterflies
Garden Uses Banks And Slopes, Ground Covers, Hedges And Screens
Garden Styles Mediterranean Garden, Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Artemisia
Guides with
Artemisia
Not sure which Artemisia to pick?
Compare Now

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