California Sagebrush

This plant is extremely drought tolerant, and will often be the only plant growing on the driest, south-facing slopes in the driest parts of it's range. It's tough and easy to grow, fast growing up to 3 feet tall. It can handle occasional summer water, or no water at all during the summer. It can get weedy, but its foliage is a beautiful silvery color when backlit by the sun. This is one of the foundation plants of the coastal sage scrub community and the preferred plant of the California gnatcatcher, a threatened species. There are several selections available for the garden, some of which can be used as groundcovers.