Tall Rabbitbrush
Tall rabbitbrush is a medium-sized shrub with a rounded, open shape. It is native to the Colorado Springs area.
The leaves are slender and soft, and range in color from gray-green to gray-blue.
Cluster of small yellow flowers attract butterflies and bees in September, adding late color to landscapes. Fuzzy, yellow seed heads persist through the winter. Although deer and rabbits may nibble on this shrub, they rarely damage it. It is a good choice for very low water areas.
Tall Rabbitbrush
Tall rabbitbrush is a medium-sized shrub with a rounded, open shape. It is native to the Colorado Springs area.
The leaves are slender and soft, and range in color from gray-green to gray-blue.
Cluster of small yellow flowers attract butterflies and bees in September, adding late color to landscapes. Fuzzy, yellow seed heads persist through the winter. Although deer and rabbits may nibble on this shrub, they rarely damage it. It is a good choice for very low water areas.
Plant details
Botanic Name
Ericameria nauseosa var. nauseosa
Pronunciation
er-ik-kam-MEER-ee-uh naw-see-OH-sa
Mature Height
2 to 6 ft.
Mature Spread
4 to 6 ft.
Water usage
One Droplet: Water twice per month or less, once established.
Two Droplets: Water about once per week, once established.
Three Droplets: Water about twice per week, once established.
Flower Color
golden yellow
Bloom time
September
Colorado Native
Yes
Natural Habitat
Rocky Mountains
Light Requirements
sun
Cold Hardiness
USDA zones 2-8
Elevation Limit
hardy to 8,500 ft.
Performance
Several rabbitbrushes are growing in the Xeriscape Demonstration Garden. They are hardy and healthy specimens, and receive no additional irrigation and very little care. Every few years, beetle larvae will eat the leaves, but otherwise have very few problems. If the damage to the leaves is severe, we cut the branches to ground level and let them regrow the following year.
Maintenance
Very little water is required by this plant after establishment. If a globe shape is preferred, rabbitbrush may be pruned by 1/3 in the early spring. Prune out any branches broken by heavy spring snow. Tall rabbitbrush can be rejuvenated when desired by cutting the branches to ground level in late winter or early spring before the leaves emerge.
See in a landscape
This large backyard backs up to a golf course and was previously over 3000sqft of Kentucky bluegrass. Since the backyard received little use, the high water-using bluegrass was converted to Colorado's state grass, Blue grama, and saves about 60% of the water. Many of the plants in this landscape are xeric plants that compliment this native turf well and fit right into the surrounding Colorado backdrop.