Shrubs Native to Southwestern Idaho

 Interest in native plants continues to grow, and for good reason! Whether for water  conservation, wildlife habitat and food sources, or simply an adherence to local flora, gardeners and plant enthusiasts alike find themselves curious about native plants.  

Plants native to southwestern Idaho are evolved to withstand hot and dry summers, cold winters, periodic droughts, and infrequent wildfires. It should be noted that native plants  are not necessarily synonymous with Fire Wise plants, a type of plant selected to withstand fires. Native plants provide a critical food source and habitat for insects, small mammals, and birds. Native plants have adapted to be more drought tolerant compared  to nonnative plants. Below are five shrubs that are native to Idaho and well adapted to  the growing conditions of the Treasure Valley. 

Purshia tridentata (Antelope bitterbrush) grows to about 5-8’ tall and 4-6’ wide. The flowers of this shrub are small, bright yellow, fragrant, an appear in late spring. Bitterbrush serves as a critical food source to herbivores, especially during harsh winters. As the name implies, the seeds have a bitter flavor.

Artemesia tridentata (Basin Big Sagebrush)  grows 3-5’ tall on average in a rounded or irregular shape and flowers in September. Similar to many sagebrush species, this shrub actually produces two types of leaves: one that is deciduous and another that is persistent (or evergreen). The leaves produce an essential oil that repels some wildlife but attracts fragrant others, such as pygmy rabbits and Greater Sage-grouse, which are dependent on it. 

Artemisia tridentata ssp. xericensis (Foothills sagebrush) is a naturally occurring hybrid between basin big sagebrush and mountain big sagebrush. This shrub grows 3’  tall and flowers in September. One way to distinguish between this shrub and the basin big sagebrush is by shining an ultraviolet light on it when wet. Foothills sagebrush glows  a blue color, while basin big sagebrush does not.

Ericameria nauseosa(Gray rabbitbrush) grows to 2-7’ tall and 1-4’ wide and blooms yellow in late summer or early fall. This shrub is an excellent food source and habitat for small mammals and birds. While native, Gray rabbitbrush is, in fact, highly flammable.

Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus (Green rabbitbrush) grows up to 3’ tall and 1-2’ wide.
Yellow flowers appear in late summer. The Latin species name viscidiflorus means “sticky flowers” and refers to the pungent smell and sticky texture of the rabbitbrush. Green rabbitbrush is both highly flammable and capable of resprouting vigorously after fire. It is an excellent food source, especially to rabbits.

Native shrubs play an important role in Idaho’s ecosystem as they are uniquely adapted
to the growing conditions and provide an important food source and habitat for a variety

of animals. Here's a good list for more info.