Big Sagebrush

Artemisia tridentata

Also known as Great Basin sagebrush, this iconic and important keystone species is the foundation of massive and threatened sagebrush steppe ecosystems of the western U.S. Big sagebrush is widespread west of the Rocky Mountains and provides essential cover and food for sage grouse that are experiencing significant declines in population such as the Greater Sage-Grouse and the Gunnison Sage-Grouse (a federally threatened species). Big sagebrush also provides highly nutritious forage for deer, elk, bighorn sheep, and pronghorn antelope and is a host plant for 44 species of butterfly and moth caterpillars including several that specialize on sagebrush. Provides nesting materials for native bees.

In the wild, big sagebrush can be very scrubby and scrappy but in a garden setting its form can be larger and more filled out. Beautiful blue-gray foliage and size make it a great accent plant. Annual or semi-annual pruning helps to rejuvenate the plant. Highly drought-tolerant, it grows in almost any soil as long as it is well drained. It smells amazing, especially after it rains. However, the resins and oils that give sagebrush its wonderful scent also make it quite flammable.

Plant Details

Native Range: Native to CO, UT, NM, most of the western U.S. into Canadian western Rockies
Height: 3-6′
Spacing: 3-6′
Water Needs: Low
Soil: Sandy, Rocky, Loamy, or well drained clay
Sunlight: Full sun
Bloom Time: August – October
USDA Zone: 2-8
Life Cycle: Perennial

Shipping

Pick up, shipping, and delivery options available. We can ship anywhere in the contiguous U.S. except Arizona, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, Washington, or Wyoming due to state regulations regarding agricultural imports.

Image Credits:

Artemisia tridentata kz14.jpg | Kenraiz | Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0

Artemisia tridentata sagebrush flower spikes.jpg | Dcrjsr | Creative Commons Attribution 3.0