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Artemisia pycnocephala (Beach sagebrush)
Wasowski, Sally and Andy

Artemisia pycnocephala (Less.) DC.

Beach sagebrush, Beach wormwood, Sand hill sage

Asteraceae (Aster Family)

USDA Symbol: arpy3

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

A low, dense, mounding perennial with delicate, silky-gray, finely divided foliage. The plant grows 1-2 ft. high with a 2-3 ft. spread.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Subshrub
Root Type: Tap
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Margin: Entire
Size Notes: Height 1-2 feet, spread to 2 feet.
Leaf: Silver-grayish.
Flower:
Fruit:
Size Class: 1-3 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Yellow
Bloom Time: Jul , Aug

Distribution

USA: CA , OR
Native Distribution: Coastal areas of n. CA
Native Habitat: Sandy beaches & dunes
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Sandy soils.
Conditions Comments: A good accent or quick fill plant. Looks best the first couple years, then becomes a fire hazard if it is out of ocean spray. Pollen is a cause of hayfever.

Benefit

Fragrant Foliage: yes

Value to Beneficial Insects

Provides Nesting Materials/Structure for Native Bees

This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.

Propagation

Propagation Material: Seeds
Description: Propagation is from seed or division of the root crown.
Seed Treatment: No treatment.
Commercially Avail: yes
Maintenance: More compact and attractive if flower stems are removed as they appear.

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Artemisia pycnocephala in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Artemisia pycnocephala in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Artemisia pycnocephala

Metadata

Record Modified: 2007-12-23
Research By: TWC Staff

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