Artemisia tridentata

Common Names

Big Sagebrush, Sagebrush, Great Basin Sagebrush, Common Sagebrush, Wyoming Big Sagebrush, Wyoming Sagebrush, Mountain Big Sagebrush, Mountain Sagebrush

Summary

Big sagebrush is an evergreen shrub native to western North America, dominant in the Great Basin sagebrush steppe. It grows with a gnarled form to 1.5–9 ft tall and up to 15 ft wide, featuring blue-gray, aromatic leaves with a distinctive three-toothed tip and small yellow-green flowers in late summer. Its silvery foliage and strong scent contribute to its visual and sensory appeal, and it provides wildlife forage and habitat across arid landscapes.

It thrives in full sun and well-drained soils, especially dry, sandy or rocky substrates, and is extremely drought-tolerant with minimal irrigation once established. Propagation is by seed or cuttings, with direct seeding or transplanting possible, and periodic pruning helps rejuvenate older growth. Hardy in USDA zones 3–8 and widely used for erosion control, habitat restoration, and xeriscaping, it provides wildlife forage and supports native landscape design in arid regions.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

3-12 feet

Spread

3-6 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 4-9

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun.

Soil Type

Well-drained dry soil, typically sandy to loamy, pH 6.0–8.5

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soil

Soil pH

6.5–8.5 (neutral to slightly alkaline)

Bloom Color

Yellow

Bloom Time

Summer

Foliage Color

Silvery gray to blue-gray

Fall Foliage Color

Silvery gray

Leaf Lifecycle

Evergreen broadleaf

Growth Rate

Moderate

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Division, Layering

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees, Attracts butterflies, Attracts other pollinators, Attracts birds