The Rabbitbrush is in Bloom
Published by DanM September 12th, 2007 in Southern Utah Wildlife and Nature, Southern Utah Places.
Get Out of the House and See It!
Most of the year, rabbitbrush is just one of the desert plants struggling for survival. But as summer turns into fall each year, this ugly duckling turns into a swan. Rabbitbrush can be especially beautiful in dense fields of yellow. And it’s convenient since it often grows just off the side of the road. But it’s hard to appreciate from the freeway.
It can be found throughout Utah and the West. This particular specimen was growing just off the parking lot at Mountain Meadow. It’s one more reason to get out of the house and check out the colors in Color Country.
That larger photo of the rabbitbrush is magnificent! You probably took that when you and Roxy took Moma and Daddy to Mountain Meadows, right? - Do you know if, or would you consider rabbit brush is invasive? I’m planting nearly all native plants now in my garden and if rabbit brush isn’t invasive, then I think I’ll go and find some! (There’s a nursery just 5 miles from me that sells only native and water wise plants. I’m quite certain he’d have some if it is a desirable plant.)i
I took that picture on the occasion of the 150th anniversary memorial that was held at Mountain Meadow.
I have no idea if it’s a desirable garden plant or not. I had to look up “rabbitbrush” to make sure I was spelling it right. Since I moved into the desert myself, my attitude about plants is, “If it grows there, it must belong there. If it doesn’t, then it doesn’t.
“my attitude about plants is, “If it grows there, it must belong there. If it doesn’t, then it doesn’t.”
Your attitude is pretty much on target! A native plant will have just the right light, moisture, soil and predator attributes to grow successfully without getting out of bounds.
If you move said plant to another area, it may look beautiful & grow fantastic! But without ALL the same elements as its original environment, it may grow out of bounds, or invite other nature that has no enemies to “control” its existence.
MI has a problem with “loosestrife”, a very pretty, easily grown plant that was imported because of “desirable” traits. It was planted along our by-ways to help beautify them. Unfortunately, we didn’t import an insect that helps “control its growth in its native area. So it spread like wildfire as people say. Kudzu in the south is another such plant. To import the insect(s) for control of such plants has had its own bad side, in that these insects have attacked natural vegetation. It is a lost cause as the song about the “Old women who swallowed a fly” illustrates! We cause our own problems!!!
The Nurseryman should have been able to answer Sister’s question.