Rabbitbrush

Not terribly skilled at landscaping, my primary technique is to bring seed back from natural areas that I visit and spread it across open soil on our farm.  Of course, this approach takes patience.

Several years ago, I threw rabbitbrush seed along our driveway, where pockets of chokecherry and New Mexico locust are interrupted by dry soil.  Voila!  This spring, clumps of the rabbitbrush appeared and are now flowering (photo).

I hoped to establish rabbitbrush on our property due to its autumn display and since it attracts a variety of ground-feeding birds, including white-crowned and Harris' sparrows.  Of course, these bushy clusters will thrive (and likely spread) without my assistance.  No irrigation or fertilizing necessary!