RUBBER RABBITBRUSH

Ericameria nauseosa

Sunflower Family (Compositae)

Rubber rabbitbrush is a familiar roadside shrub throughout western North America and across the Great Plains. It features an erect to spreading growth form, silvery green foliage, and an amazing display of bright golden flowers from late summer through autumn. Rubber rabbitbrush is a fast-growing shrub that is very easy to grow. It does best in lean, coarse, dry soils in full sun. When overfertilized or overwatered, it tends to become rather rank and overgrown. It is very tolerant of pruning, however. One way to keep it looking good year after year is to shear it to ground level after flowering each fall. It readily sprouts back from the root crown and grows into a pretty, rounded shape. Rubber rabbitbrush is a prolific seeder and volunteers readily from seed. Shearing is one way to keep this tendency in check. This plant combines well with mountain big sagebrush, basin wildrye, and the taller penstemons like firecracker, Rocky Mountain and Palmer penstemon. It also looks great planted with yuccas and other succulents, and makes a stunning contrast to the bright green of mormon tea.