Plant profile

Rabbitbrush

Genera Ericameria & Chrysothamnus

Rabbitbrush is a tough, sun-loving shrub known for its bright yellow late-season blooms that can help keep pollinators fed when many other flowers are fading.

Plant Type

Shrubs > Rabbitbrush

Aliases

Rabbitbrush

Native Range

Native to parts of western North America (varies by species)

Bloom window

Late summer into fall (varies by species and location)

Overview Summary Impact Recognition Location Requirements Glossary Get Involved

OVERVIEW

About This Plant

Rabbitbrush is a practical pick for sunny spaces where you want a shrub that can handle lean conditions and still put on a show. Its yellow flower clusters tend to appear later in the season, which can make it a helpful “bridge” plant when earlier blooms are done.

If you’re gardening in or around Toronto, rabbitbrush may be best treated as a specialty plant for very sunny, well-drained sites, and it’s worth checking local availability and suitability for your exact location. If you can’t find rabbitbrush or it doesn’t fit your conditions, you can still follow the same idea: choose a locally appropriate shrub or perennial that blooms later in the season and supports pollinators.

The simplest recipe for success is sun + drainage + patience during the first year. Once established, rabbitbrush usually needs less attention than many flowering shrubs, making it a good option for low-maintenance habitat patches.

Best role for pollinators

Sunny, low-water gardens; naturalized edges; adding late-season blooms for pollinators

Rabbitbrush (*Ericameria* spp. / *Chrysothamnus* spp.) — https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/46965237 Photo: no rights reserved | CC0 | iNaturalist

FAST FACTS

Quick Details

Essential stats and requirements for quick reference.

Category	Details
Also known as	Rabbitbrush
Bloom window	Late summer into fall (varies by species and location)
Typical height	Varies by species; generally a medium-sized shrub
Pollinators supported	Bees, Butterflies, Flies, Beetles, Wasps
Light & moisture	Full sun; dry to medium moisture once established
Best roles for pollinators	Sunny, low-water gardens; naturalized edges; adding late-season blooms for pollinators

SUMMARY

If You Remember Three Things

A quick scan of what they do, what they need, and the best first step.

What they do

Rabbitbrush provides bright late-season flowers that can support a variety of pollinating insects.

What they need

Sun, good drainage, and a light hand with watering once established.

One best action

Plant it in the sunniest, best-drained spot you have and water only until it’s settled in.

IMPACT

Why Plant This?

Adding a late-blooming shrub like rabbitbrush can help keep your garden’s flower season going and provide food for a range of pollinating insects.

Rabbitbrush often looks its brightest when many other plants are winding down for the year.

Key Impacts

What it Supports

Late-season blooms can help fill a gap when fewer flowers are available.
Dense clusters of small flowers can be useful for many different kinds of insects.
Shrubby structure can add shelter and texture to a pollinator-friendly garden.

RECOGNITION

Identification Guide

Look for a sun-loving shrub with narrow leaves and clouds of small yellow flowers later in the season.

Leaves

Usually narrow and often gray-green; leaf shape and texture vary by species.

Flowers

Many small yellow flower heads grouped in clusters, creating a bright golden display.

Fruits

Small, dry seeds typical of the aster family; often carried by wind.

Gallery image

LOCATION

Where It Grows

Native environments and the best spots to place it in your landscape.

Habitats

Open sunny areas
Dry slopes and well-drained sites
Shrublands and edges of open habitats

Where it is often used

Pollinator garden anchor for late-season color
Dry, sunny borders and slopes
Naturalized plantings and habitat patches
Low-water landscaping where drainage is good

SEASONALITY

When It Blooms

Notes on bloom windows and how this plant helps pollinators across the seasons.

Bloom window

Rabbitbrush is best known for blooming later in the growing season.

Bloom Season Role: Late-season nectar and pollen

Seasonal benefits

Adds color when many gardens are fading
Offers nectar and pollen for insects still active late in the season
Pairs well with earlier-blooming plants to extend the season of flowers

REQUIREMENTS

What It Needs

The right mix of sun, soil, and space for healthy growth.

Sun exposure

Plant in full sun for best flowering and sturdy growth.

Soil type

Best in well-drained soil; avoid spots that stay soggy or compacted.

Moisture needs

Water regularly at first to help roots establish, then reduce; established plants usually prefer drier conditions.

Planting method

Give it room for its mature width and airflow; plant where it won’t be crowded by thirsty plants.

Mulching tips

Use a light layer of mulch to reduce weeds, but keep mulch pulled back from the base of the stems.

GARDENING GUIDE

How to Grow It

Simple steps to plant, prune, and maintain healthy trees without pesticides.

Planting tips

Choose a full-sun spot with good drainage.
Dig a hole about as deep as the root ball and a bit wider.
Set the plant so the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface.
Backfill, gently firm the soil, and water in well.
Water as needed during the first growing season; let the soil dry slightly between waterings.

Seasonal care

Water during long dry spells in the first year; after that, water sparingly if needed.
Weed around young plants so they aren’t competing for light and space.
Prune lightly to shape after flowering or in the dormant season; avoid heavy pruning if you’re unsure of the species’ bloom habit.
Leave some stems and seed heads through winter if you like a natural look and extra garden structure.
Avoid pesticides, especially when the plant is in bloom and insects are visiting.

What not to do

Planting rabbitbrush in a low spot that stays wet.
Watering on a schedule long after the plant is established.
Using pesticides to deal with minor leaf damage or insects.
Pruning too hard without a plan.

Pairings

Best Pairings for Season-Long Bloom

Pairing ideas to keep pollinators fed throughout the growing season.

Early Bloom

Spring-blooming native wildflowers (choose locally appropriate species)
Early-blooming shrubs suited to your area

Mid-Season Bloom

Summer-blooming perennials with similar sun and drainage needs
Native grasses for structure and contrast

Late-Season Bloom

Asters (locally appropriate species)
Goldenrods (locally appropriate species)
Other late-blooming, drought-tolerant perennials

“Rabbitbrush” can refer to several species across Ericameria and Chrysothamnus, so exact size, leaf texture, and bloom timing can vary. If you’re buying a plant, check the tag for the specific species or cultivar to match your space.

GLOSSARY