Encelia californica
Coast Sunflower, Coast Encelia
Description
Encelia californica is a fast growing woody subshrub with bright green foliage and yellow daisy-type flowers. It can be used effectively in the natural landscape with regular pruning to maintain form. It is more commonly used in native restoration work. In inland situations, it requires more regular water. It grows to 4' tall and wide.
Maintenance Tips
Encelia californica is a California native shrub that grows quickly up to 4' wide. It will look and perform its best when planted in full sun in well-drained soil with enough space to reach its mature size. It is very drought tolerant once established and rarely has any pest or disease issues. This shrub has lots of cross-branching and can grow very dense in just one growing season. Pruning throughout the growing season is discouraged as it will affect the amount of blooms that emerge. This is the type of shrub that can resemble a tumbleweed when the blooming cycle ends. Cutting it back hard in the early fall will remove many of the woody branches and will encourage new growth to occur. There is no need to fertilize as the plant will perform very well without supplemental nutrients in almost all soil conditions.
Plant Type
Perennial
Height Range
3-6'
Flower Color
Yellow
Flower Season
Winter, Spring
Leaf Color
Green
Bark Color
n/a
Fruit Color
n/a
Fruit Season
n/a
Sun
Full
Water
Very Low
Growth Rate
Fast
Soil Type
Sandy, Loam, Rocky
Soil Condition
Average, Well-drained, Dry
Soil pH
Neutral, Basic
Adverse Factors
n/a
Design Styles
Mediterranean, Ranch, Seascape, Wild Garden
Accenting Features
Showy Flowers
Seasonal Interest
Winter, Spring
Location Uses
Background, Shrub Border, Roadside, With Rocks
Special Uses
Erosion Control, Filler, Fire Resistant, Naturalizing
Attracts Wildlife
Butterflies
Mulching and adding compost to soil can minimize evaporation and help soil absorb and store water.