About

Artemisia californica, also known as California sagebrush or cowboy cologne (due to its fragrant smell), is a species of shrub in the sunflower family that is endemic to western California and northwestern Baja California.

California sagebrush is considered a keystone species within its native habitat due to its widespread ecosystem services and prevalence. In the western United States, California sagebrush is often grown in native plant gardens and as a drought-resistant landscaping choice. In addition to its drought resistance and capacity to draw pollinators like bees and butterflies, its silvery foliage is popular with gardeners and horticulturists.

How to grow it

This shrub is cultivated as an ornamental plant in native plant and wildlife gardens, natural landscaping design, and for restoration of disturbed sites and degraded coastal sage scrub. There are several lower height cultivars in the horticulture trade, for drought-tolerant groundcover use.

It thrives in full sun, preferring to grow on west or north-facing slopes. It needs little water and prefers no water in the summer months; it does not seem that soil types affect plant growth much. This plant relies on wildfire for seed germination and burned plants can crown-sprout and keep growing.

Where it grows

The shrub is native to western California and northwestern Baja California. It is endemic to the California chaparral and woodlands ecoregion, in coastal sage scrub, coastal strand, chaparral, and dry foothill communities. It is found from sea level to 800 m (2,600 ft) in elevation. This species is also found on many islands adjacent to the Baja California peninsula, including the Coronado Islands and Cedros Island. It is even found on Guadalupe Island, in the Pacific Ocean.

Other Artemisia plants

Southernwood · Absinthium · African Wormwood · White Mugwort · Sweet sagewort · Hedge Artemisia · Chinese Mugwort · Biennial wormwood · Capillary Artemisia · Carruth's sagewort · Douglas' sagewort · Tarragon