Silver sagebrush is a nice soft silvery foliage

Q: We found a strange plant in our yard — a “volunteer” — and were wondering what it is because it is crowding out something we planted.

A: This is Artemisia cana (silver sagebrush). It’s a native species in the western states and western Canada and a member of the Asteraceae or sunflower family. Some wildlife and livestock will eat it in case you are keeping sheep. Otherwise, it has nice soft silvery foliage that is a good desert adaptation and yellow flowers.

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Peter L. Warren is the urban horticulture agent for the Pima County Cooperative Extension and the University of Arizona. Questions may be emailed to plwarren@cals.arizona.edu