Plant Highlights

Known as Rubber rabbitbrush, gray rabbitbrush, or chamisa, Ericameria nauseosa is naturally widespread across the west coast and Midwest portions of the United States, including California. It is a fantastic choice for wildlife gardens, as its bunches of yellow flowers are exceptionally attractive to butterflies and other native pollinators, and its light brown clouds of dried seeds are later eaten by birds. Rubber rabbitbrush is a perennial shrub generally reaching 2 to 5’ tall and wide, grows best in full sun, and can be found alongside hardy plants like sagebrush (Artemisia). The tall flexible stems are pale in appearance due to the presence of felt-like hairs that cover the narrow leaf and stem surfaces, topped with dense clusters of brilliant yellow flower heads in August through October. Rubber rabbitbrush was an important plant for native peoples, used for medicinal teas and for dye materials. This native plant likes dry, arid conditions, performing well in nutrient-poor and alkaline soils. Its extensive root system make it a great candidate for restoration and soil stabilization. A stellar choice for desert gardens, Rubber rabbitbrush typically needs no supplemental water once established.