Artemisia californica (California sagebrush)

Botanical name

Artemisia californica

Other names

California sagebrush, Coastal sagebrush, California sagewort, California mugwort

Genus

Artemisia Artemisia

Species

A. californica - A. californica is an aromatic, evergreen shrub with upright, open, branching stems bearing pinnate leaves divided into threadlike, grey-green leaves. Insignificant, leafy, yellow-green to reddish-brown flowerheads bloom in late summer or autumn.

Native to

Baja California, Mexico, California

Foliage

Deciduous

Fragrance

Aromatic foliage

Habit

Branching, Open stems, Upright

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Colour

Flower

Yellow-green, Reddish-brown, Insignificant or absent in Summer

Foliage

Grey-green in All seasons

General care

Pruning

Pinch back shoot tips of young plants to encourage bushy growth.

Propagation

Sow seed at 23C (73.5F). Germination usually occurs in 21-30 days. Exposure to 5C (41F) for 15 days will produce more rapid and consistent germination.

Propagation methods

Seed, Semi-hardwood cuttings

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Artemisia californica (California sagebrush) will reach a height of 1.8m and a spread of 1.8m after 5-10 years.

Suggested uses

Banks and Slopes, Beds and borders, Cottage/Informal, Desert garden/Xeriscaping, Drought Tolerant, Drying, Foliage only, Gravel, Low Maintenance, Rock, Wildlife

Cultivation

Grow in well-drained, preferably neutral soil in full sun. In hot, dry summers, spring leaves wilt and are replaced by smaller, tough leaves. Under prolonged drought, may shed leaves entirely. Does not tolerate summer wet. Highly combustible. In its native range, it provides critical habitat for threatened California gnatcatcher, Bell's sage sparrow, and California quail.

Soil type

Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)

Soil drainage

Well-drained

Soil pH

Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Full Sun

Aspect

North, West

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Hardy (H4)

USDA zones

Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Artemisia californica (California sagebrush)

Common pest name

Scientific pest name

Phytophthora tentaculata Kröber & Marwitz - All Hosts

Type

Oomycete

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

5

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Polyphagous pathogen present in parts of Europe and beyond.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Artemisia californica (California sagebrush)

Common pest name

Corn borer; Corn moth; European corn borer; European maize borer; European stalk borer; Maize pyralid

Scientific pest name

Ostrinia nubilalis

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Present (Limited)

Likelihood to spread in UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Polyphagous boring pest present in the UK since the 1930’s. A maize-affecting race was detected for the first time in 2010. Industry may wish to monitor for its presence and mitigate against impacts.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/