California Sagebrush

California Sagebrush

1 Gallon
$17.90
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California Sagebrush

California Sagebrush

Artemisia californica

An iconic California native shrub with intensely fragrant, silvery-gray foliage, vital for wildlife and exceptionally drought tolerant.

$17.90
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Description

Artemisia californica, commonly known as California Sagebrush, is a quintessential, evergreen shrub of the coastal sage scrub community, prized for its intensely fragrant, finely textured, silvery-gray foliage and its exceptional drought tolerance. This adaptable, woody perennial forms a dense, rounded mound of fine, feathery leaves that release a strong, clean, sage-like aroma when brushed, especially after rain. Its small, inconspicuous yellow-green flowers are not showy but are highly attractive to a wide range of native bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, and its dense branches provide excellent cover and nesting sites for birds . A cornerstone of California's native landscape, it is extremely tough, low-maintenance, and an outstanding choice for habitat gardens, dry slopes, restoration projects, and water-wise landscapes.

Quick Facts

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  • Light: Full sun (essential for best form and density) .

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  • Foliage & Flowers: Finely divided, feathery, silvery-gray to gray-green, intensely fragrant leaves; small, inconspicuous, yellowish-green flowers in late summer to fall .
  • Mature Height: 2-5 ft .
  • Mature Spread: 4-7 ft (can spread wider) .
  • Growth Rate: Moderate to fast .
  • Hardiness Zones: USDA 7-10 ; Sunset 7-9, 14-24 .
  • Core Benefits: Intensely fragrant silver-green foliage, exceptionally drought tolerant, vital native habitat for wildlife, deer resistant, low maintenance.
  • Best Uses: Native plant gardens, wildlife habitat, dry slopes, erosion control, coastal gardens, restoration projects, xeriscape plantings, fragrance gardens.

Faqs

Q: How large does California Sagebrush get?
A: It is a medium-sized, woody shrub, typically reaching 2-5 feet in height and 4-7 feet in spread, though it can grow larger or more open in ideal conditions.

Q: Is it drought tolerant?
A: Yes, once established, it is exceptionally drought tolerant. It is a key plant of California's dry coastal sage scrub and requires little to no supplemental water after the first year.

Q: How much sun does it need?
A: It requires full sun (at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily) to maintain its dense, compact form. In too much shade, it will become leggy and open.

Q: Is the fragrance strong?
A: Yes, the leaves are highly fragrant when brushed or crushed, releasing a strong, clean, sage-like aroma that is characteristic of the California coastal sage scrub ecosystem.

Q: Does it attract wildlife?
A: Yes, it is a vital habitat plant. The small flowers attract native bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, and its dense, branching structure provides excellent shelter for birds and small animals. It is also a host plant for several butterfly species.

📍 Primary Delivery Area · San Francisco Bay Area

Local delivery across the Bay Area — and beyond.

San Francisco Bay Area is our primary local delivery market. Victory Nursery also serves additional California markets and selected extended delivery areas by arrangement.

Regular local delivery: San Francisco, Peninsula, South Bay, East Bay, Marin, Tracy / Mountain House and surrounding service areas.

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1 Gallon

1 Gallon

A practical starting size for perennials, grasses, groundcovers, vines and young shrubs. Lightweight, easy to plant and well suited for projects that need multiple plants.

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5 Gallon

5 Gallon

A popular size for shrubs, screening plants and young trees. Large enough to make an immediate difference in the garden while still manageable for most residential projects.

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Gallon describes the container size, not a guaranteed plant height. Individual plants vary. Contact our nursery for current measurements.

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