Artemisia californica 'Canyon Gray' (Coastal Sagebrush)

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Artemisia californica 'Canyon Gray'
Coastal Sagebrush

CHARACTERISTICS

Height: 1 - 2 ft

Width: 4– 10 ft

Natural Setting: A natural cultivar of California Sagebrush (Artemisia californica) from San Miguel Island, one of the Channel Islands in Southern California.³

Plant Type: Groundcover

Dormancy: Evergreen or summer semi-deciduous

Form: Prostrate

Growth Rate: Fast

Flower Season: Summer/Fall

Soil: Adaptable, except poorly drained⁴

Sun Exposure: Full sun on the coast, but prefers part shade inland

Water Requirements: Low once established

Summer Dry: Provide occasional summer watering for it to stay evergreen

Cold Tolerance: Tolerates cold to 20 - 25° F³

Hardiness: Very hardy

OVERVIEW

A natural cultivar of California Sagebrush (Artemisia californica) from San Miguel Island, one of the Channel Islands in Southern California. This selection makes a great mass planted groundcover and the foliage has a pleasant fragrance.

CARE & MAINTENANCE

If left unpruned, the middle of the plant gradually forms a mound, reaching a height of at least 3 feet, and tends to open up in the middle with age. To maintain a flat appearance, cut away any vertical or arching growth emerging from the center when it appears.⁴ You can also trim heavily every 1-2 years to maintain denser foliage.³

It requires little irrigation once established, but it can go semi-dormant by later summer without occasional irrigation. If you would prefer for it to stay evergreen year round, provide occasional summer watering.³

USES

Works well as a fragrant groundcover and looks great draping over a wall.

HISTORY

This selection was discovered on the windswept San Miguel Island, one of the Channel Islands in Southern California, by Ralph Philbrick (1934-2017), botanist and former Director of the Santa Barbra Botanic Garden.⁶

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