Artemisia frigida
fringed sagebrush
Overview
Artemisia frigida is a low, mat-forming, semi-woody perennial of western and central North America, growing 4-16 inches (10-40 cm) tall and spreading 12-24 inches (30-60 cm) wide. The silvery gray-green leaves are finely divided into thread-like segments and densely silky-hairy, releasing a sage scent when crushed. Slender stems carry small nodding yellow flower heads 0.1-0.2 inch (3-5 mm) across from July to September. The plant forms a dense, woody-based cushion that roots where stems touch the ground. It grows on dry plains, rocky slopes, and overgrazed range from low elevations into the mountains, withstanding cold, drought, and poor soils. The aromatic foliage is the main feature, as the flowers are tiny and greenish-yellow. It can spread aggressively on disturbed ground and is treated as a weed of degraded rangeland in some areas.
Native Range
Native to western and central North America and also northern Asia, ranging across the Great Plains, Rocky Mountains, and Great Basin into Canada and Alaska.Suggested Uses
Used in rock gardens, dry borders, and xeric and native plantings on lean soil. The silvery foliage contrasts with darker plants in low-water designs. It suits groundcover on dry slopes and gravelly banks.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height4" - 1'4"
Width/Spread1' - 2'
Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years
Colors
Bloom Information
Flowers open from July to September in small nodding heads along upright stalks. The blooms are yellow to greenish-yellow and wind-pollinated. Bloom lasts several weeks into early fall.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
yellow to greenish-yellowFoliage Description
silvery gray-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows in full sun in dry, well-drained sandy, rocky, or gravelly soils with a pH of 6.0-8.0. Established plants are drought hardy and rot in rich or wet soil. No supplemental water is needed once the plant is rooted. Shearing after bloom keeps the cushion dense and limits self-seeding. Hardy in USDA zones 3-7. Few pests or diseases affect it on lean, dry sites.Pruning
Shearing the cushion lightly in spring removes winter-worn growth and keeps it compact. Spent flower stalks are cut after bloom to limit seeding. Old, woody plants can be cut back hard to renew the mat.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
early spring
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 2 gallons