Rabbitbrush in the Landscape

Diane Jones, Draggin' Wing Farm, Water-thrifty Plants for Idaho

Scientfic Name:  Ericameria nauseosa ssp. nauseosa
Common Name:  Gray Rabbitbrush; Rubber Rabbitbrush

Description:  Tough native shrub covered with brilliant display of golden flowers in fall. Its upright form and graceful silver foliage make it an ideal foundation plant in the xeric garden. Supports butterflies & birds.

Native Habitat:  Widely distributed throughout the arid intermountain West, from desert washes to mountain meadows. Very cold hardy.

Cultural Requirement

Soil:  Well-drained, shallow, nutrient-poor or ordinary garden soil.

Moisture Tolerance:  Extremely drought-tolerant.

Sun/Shade/Preference:  Full sun.

Transplanting:  Container-grown rabbitbrush transplants well. Do not try to dig wild plants.

Propagation:  Seed.

Maintenance (pruning, fertilization, deadheading, division, irrigation, etc):  Cut back to 6-12" in the early spring. This keeps plants attractive and compact. Needs little or no fertilization.

Insect, disease, or other problems:  None of concern.

Landscape Value

Use in the Landscape:  Attractive and reliable foundation plant for very arid areas.

Foliage:  Narrow, silvery leaves on woody branches.

Flower:  Vibrant display of yellow flowers in fall.

Timing:  September-October

Color:  Yellow

Fruit:  The fruit is an achene 0.03 to 0.05 inch long.

Form:  Upright woody shrub.

Texture:  Loose, branching.

Ultimate Size:  3' 5' tall and equally wide.

Rate of Growth:  Moderate.

Suggested Plant Partners:  Native grasses, any Buckwheat Pussytoes.

Availability:  Available at native plant nurseries.

Cultivars:  None.

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