High Country Gardens
Artemisia frigida
Best low-maintenance groundcover for waterwise gardeners in dry, sunny climates.
Artemisia frigida, or Prairie Sagebrush, is a resilient Western native perennial celebrated for its soft, fragrant, silvery foliage and low-growing habit. This xeric groundcover features silky leaves emerging from woody crowns, with subtle yellow flowers in summer. It thrives in lean, dry, well-drained soils and full sun, making it ideal for xeriscapes or mass plantings. This plant is low maintenance, drought-tolerant, and resistant to deer and rabbits, making it a practical and beautiful addition to any garden.
$10.19
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
34
/ 2598
#34 in Bushes & Shrubs
Price vs Category Average
-74%
Below average
Growth Habit
Groundcover
/ Groundcover
Who it's for
- Homeowners struggling with deer or rabbit damage
- Xeriscape gardeners managing arid or water-restricted landscapes
- Landscapers seeking low-maintenance, weed-suppressing groundcover
Who should skip it
- Gardeners working with heavy, moisture-retaining clay soil
- Minimalists wanting low-intervention, non-spreading plant varieties
- Beginners looking for zero-maintenance landscape shrubs
Performance breakdown
Drought Tolerance
Thrives in arid conditions with minimal supplemental irrigation required.
Pest Resistance
Reliably deters deer and rabbits from grazing on the foliage.
Maintenance Ease
Requires very little intervention once established in the landscape.
Soil Adaptability
Handles lean, sandy, and low-fertility soils with impressive vigor.
Visual Impact
Silvery foliage provides a sophisticated, high-contrast texture for garden beds.
Climate Versatility
Wide hardiness range makes it suitable for diverse regional environments.
Key Specs
Growth Habit
Groundcover
Mature Height
6-18 inches
Mature Spread
12-18 inches
Hardiness Zones
3-10
Light Requirement
Full Sun
Soil Moisture
Waterwise / Low-Water
Soil Type
Average, Sandy, Low Fertility, Well-Drained Soil
Plant Life Cycle
Perennial, Shrub
Features
- Native Western plant with fragrant silver foliage
- Excellent groundcover for mass planting
- Low maintenance and waterwise
- Deer and rabbit resistant
- Evergreen in warmer climates
- Thrives in lean, dry soil
- Subtle yellow summer blooms
- Salt tolerant
What customers say
Customers consistently praise the exceptional quality and reliability of this Artemisia. Reviewers frequently highlight its robust nature, noting how quickly the plants establish themselves even in difficult, dry, or poor soil conditions. The silvery foliage provides excellent texture and visual appeal, making it a reliable choice for xeriscaping and rock gardens. Consumers feel confident purchasing this variety, knowing it will thrive with minimal fuss, delivering dependable groundcover performance and enduring harsh weather successfully.
Know before you buy
No, this is a highly drought-tolerant, waterwise plant. Once established, it thrives in dry conditions and prefers lean, well-drained soil rather than frequent irrigation.
In warmer climates, Artemisia frigida is considered evergreen. In colder regions, the foliage may die back or become dormant, but the woody crown remains hardy down to zone 3.
Yes, the fragrant, silvery foliage is naturally unappealing to both deer and rabbits. It is an excellent choice for landscapes where browsing wildlife is a common concern.
It performs best in lean, sandy, or low-fertility soils with excellent drainage. Avoid planting it in heavy, water-logged clay, as it requires dry conditions to thrive.
With a mature spread of 12 to 18 inches, you should space them about 12 to 15 inches apart to achieve a dense, uniform carpet effect in mass plantings.
Still have a question?
Ask Hayley anything about this product before you decide.
Ready to buy?
$10