California Sagebrush

Scientific Name: Artemisia californica

California sagebrush, also known as coastal sagebrush, is a highly aromatic native shrub that grows in coastal, chaparral, and dry foothill communities in California and Baja California. It is extremely drought tolerant and is often found as the only plant growing in the driest, south-facing slopes up to 3,300 feet. California sagebrush requires minimal summer water and care. It can handle dry slopes, sandy soil, and clay soil.

California sagebrush has adapted to California's summer drought by having two growth forms. In the winter and spring, when seasonal water is available, the gray-green leaves are long, tender, and feathery. They grow rapidly and are lush. During the hot dry summer months, spring leaves wilt and are replaced by small, hardy leaves. Growth halts or slows down; transpiration is reduced and the plant may look as though it has gone dormant.