Years ago, driving through Utah's Canyonland and desert, I saw this attractive, yellow-blooming plant for the first time. Later I spotted it in Arizona, Colorado, and even in Alberta, Canada, and Northern Mexico.
Chamisa or Rabbitbrush is a 2-5 ft., deciduous shrub with aromatic, blue-green, feathery foliage and dense clusters of bright-yellow, fuzzy flowers. When grown in well-drained soil it takes on a soft, mounded form. Wiry, white stems and dry seedheads create winter interest. Rabbitbrush is fast-growing, reaching maturity in 2 to 4 years, and has a lifespan of 5 to 20 years. Hardiness zones are:
5 to 11 - from Canada to Northern Mexico in dry areas.
Plant in full sun, clay-alkaline or sandy, well-draining soil.
Once established, you don't need to water in the future.
Propagation
Propagate by seed or hardwood cuttings in late winter. Seeds viability is often low. Direct seeding is not recommended and since seedlings are easily transplanted, it is best to sow seeds on greenhouse flats. Seeds may benefit from a period of moist chilling.
Animals Food
It can be an important browse species for mule deer and pronghorn during fall and winter. It also provides cover for mammals and small nesting birds. Rabbits do not prefer eating rabbitbrush, so perhaps the name refers to the animal’s use of rabbit brush for cover.
Healing Plant
Native tribes in the South-West made tea by steeping the leaves. It seems to have worked for curing stomach disorders at several pueblos. This tea was also used as a gargle for colds and as a bath for fever patients. Ground dry leaves mixed with cornmeal were used in treating wounds.
