Big sagebrush
Artemisia tridentata
Big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) is a Colorado-native shrub suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 3–8 ft tall and 4–8 ft wide, needs low water, and prefers full sun. Iconic Western sagebrush. Aromatic silver foliage; tiny yellow late-summer blooms. Note: fire-prone, keep out of zone 1.
Colorado nativelow water3–8 ft tall and 4–8 ft wideXeric / water-wiseDeer-resistantToxic to dogs
Photos
At a glance
- Botanical name
- Artemisia tridentata
- Type
- Shrub
- Mature size
- 3–8 ft tall and 4–8 ft wide
- Water needs
- low water
- Sun
- full sun
- Colorado native
- Yes
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Soil
- sandy, loam, well drained only
- Soil pH
- 6.5–8.5
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Pollinator value
- moderate
- Good for
- slope, south wall
Planting & establishment
Water deeply 1×/week first 2 summers — slow to establish. Bombproof after rooting; needs no supplemental water.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Big sagebrush good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes. Big sagebrush is included in the Front Range Plant Finder as a shrub suited to Colorado's Front Range.
- How big does Big sagebrush get?
- It matures to about 3–8 ft tall and 4–8 ft wide.
- How much water does Big sagebrush need?
- It needs low water once established.
- Is Big sagebrush safe for dogs?
- No — Big sagebrush is considered toxic to dogs. Keep pets away and check with your vet.
