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It is in leaf all year, in flower in July, and the seeds ripen in August. The flowers are dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required) and are pollinated by Wind. The plant is not self-fertile.
The plant prefers light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, requires well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline and saline soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It requires dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.Edible Uses: Leaves - cooked or raw. A very acceptable taste with a salty tang. The leaves can be used at any time of the year though winter harvesting must be light because the plant is not growing much at this time of year. Seed - cooked.
Other Uses: A good hedge in maritime areas, it responds well to trimming. The leaves and stems were burnt by the Hopi Indians and the alkaline ash used to maintain the blue colour when cooking blue corn. A yellow dye is obtained from the leaves and stems. The leaves can be made into a soapy lather and used as a hair wash. (info source: pfaf.org)
Genus - Atriplex
Species - Canescens
Common name - Gray Sage Brush
Pre-Treatment - Required
Hardiness zones - 7 - 9
Height - 1.8m (6')
Spread - 1.8m (6')
Plant type - Small Shrub
Vegetation type - Deciduous
Exposure - Full Sun
Growth rate - Fast
Soil PH - Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil type - Loam, sand, well drained
Water requirements - Average Water
Landscape uses - Bedding Plant, Container, Edible, Herb / Vegetable, Mixed Border
Germination rate - 62%
Bloom season - Late Spring
Leaf / Flower color - Silver-Gray / Yellow
| Useful Info | |
| Germination | Soak in water, let stand in water for 24 hours. Change water often. Short 30 days cold / moist stratification will increase the germination rate. Sow in a compost of peat and sand. Germination usually takes place within 1 - 3 weeks at 20C. Pot up the seedlings when still small into individual pots, grow on in a greenhouse for the first winter and plant out in late spring or early summer after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a very sandy compost in a frame. Very easy. Pot up as soon as they start to root (about 3 weeks) and plant out in their permanent positions late in the following spring. Cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth, November/December in a frame. Very easy. Pot up in early spring and plant out in their permanent position in early summer. |
