Search
Close this search box.

California sagebrush

Artemisia californica

Description

The California sagebrush grows into a small to medium size shrub, 3-5 ft. tall, 5-7 ft. wide and is mostly comprised of soft herbaceous stems and foliage. Gray-green leaves are finely divided into linear segments and are highly aromatic when crushed. It’s sage-like scent lingers in the air and on clothing when the plant is brushed up against, popularizing the nickname, “Cowboy Cologne.” Flowers are inconspicuous.

California sagebrush is a signature species of the coastal sage plant and chaparral plant community throughout coastal and inland California from the Bay Area to Baja California. It is often found growing in the most difficult conditions, including poor soils, full sun and low moisture. In garden and landscape situations, it has shown high adaptability to sun, heat and drought, and does best in areas having good drainage. This species is commonly used for habitat value in restoration projects and in mixed California native gardens. It grows rapidly with winter moisture and will shed some of its leaves under drought stress.

Plant Type: Shrub, Native
Foliage Character: Drought deciduous
Habit: Spreading, Sprawling, Mounding
Growth Rate: Moderate
Foliage Color: Gray green
Flower Color: Insignificant
Flower Season: Summer
Soil Adaptations: Well-draining soil, Clay
Exposure Adaptations: Heat, Drought, Aridity, All day sun
Function: Wildlife value, Slopes, Restoration, California native, Fragrant foliage
Height: 3 ft. – 5 ft.
Width: 5 ft. – 7 ft.

Set your preferred view

Choose between a list or map view of all signs found in our waterwise garden and park.

Welcome to the Waterwise Garden Digital Tour

This is a digital registry created to offer further information on the physical signs in our waterwise garden and park premises.

Would you like a few tips on how to use this tool?

Move around

Travel to different sections of our garden and park premises by using the horizontal scrollbar at the top.

Locate your sign​

Using the map view, you can preview what each specific sign is about by tapping on the plus icon.

Refer back to these tips

You can view these tips at any time by tapping the Help link in the top left.