Douglas’ Sagewort

(Artemisia douglasiana)

Douglas’ Sagewort (Artemisia douglasiana)

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Estimated Native Range
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Summary

Artemisia douglasiana, commonly known as Douglas’ Sagewort, is a perennial herb native to riparian areas, wet meadows, and moist open woodlands in the Pacific Northwest, including Washington, Oregon, California, and extending into Baja California. It typically grows to a height of 2-4 feet (0.6-1.2 meters) and spreads widely due to its underground rhizomes. The plant has a distinctive appearance with its grey-green, evenly spaced, elliptical leaves that are lobed at the tips. During its bloom period from May to October, Douglas’ Sagewort produces bell-shaped clusters of flowers, with each cluster containing 5–9 pistillate flowers and 6–25 disk flowers, which are not particularly showy but are attractive to a variety of pollinators.

Douglas’ Sagewort is valued for its aromatic foliage and its ability to stabilize soil, making it an excellent choice for erosion control projects. It is also used in wildlife gardens and natural landscaping designs due to its ecological benefits, such as providing habitat for beneficial insects. This plant is drought-tolerant, requiring low amounts of water once established, and thrives in full sun to part shade conditions. It prefers soils with medium drainage and can tolerate a range of soil types, from sandy to loamy. While it is generally low-maintenance, gardeners should be aware that its rhizomes can make it spread aggressively, potentially becoming invasive in some settings.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

  • Plant Type: Herb
  • Height: 2-3 feet
  • Width: 1-1.5 feet
  • Growth Rate: Moderate
  • Flower Color: N/A
  • Flowering Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
  • Leaf Retention: Deciduous

Growth Requirements

  • Sun: Full Sun
  • Water: Medium, High
  • Drainage: Medium

Common Uses

Bank Stabilization, Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Fragrant, Low Maintenance, Rabbit Resistant, Salt Tolerant

Natural Habitat

Native to riparian areas, wet meadows, and moist open woodlands in the Pacific Northwest

Other Names

Common Names: California Mugwort , Douglas’ Wormwood , Northwest Mugwort , Douglas Sagewort , Western Mugwort , Douglas’ Mugwort , Dream Plant , Armoise De Douglas

Scientific Names: Artemisia douglasiana , Artemisia vulgaris var. heterophylla , Artemisia caudata var. douglasiana , Artemisia ludoviciana var. douglasiana , Artemisia campestris var. douglasiana , Artemisia commutata var. douglasiana , Artemisia desertorum var. douglasiana , Artemisia vulgaris subsp. douglasiana , Artemisia vulgaris var. douglasiana

GBIF Accepted Name: Artemisia douglasiana Besser