Gardner Saltbush is a short, prostrate, evergreen shrub that grows about 6 to 12 inches tall and wide or wider. It has small, oval to rounded pale to grey green leaves and inconspicuous flowers. It provides excellent erosion control for naturally-styled landscapes, and excellent forage for livestock and wildlife. Available locally in seed.
As with other saltbush, grow in full sun and well drained soil. Gardner is tolerant of a wide variety of soil types as long as they are well drained. Tolerates soil pH up to 8.5 and 9. It is frost tolerant to 0 F. Gardner saltbush frequently occurs on heavy to medium textured soils in valley bottoms, plains and on slopes from 3,500 to 7,000 feet. Extremely salt and alkaline tolerant. Previous scientific names: Atriplex buxifolia, Atriplex gordonii, Atriplex nuttallii, Atriplex nuttallii ssp. buxifolia, Atriplex nuttallii ssp