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California Native Plant

Encelia californica

Coast Sunflower, Coast Encelia

Plant photo of: Encelia californica
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Information by: The Plant Nerd Inc.        Photographer:

 

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

Water Saving Tip:

Adjust sprinklers to avoid watering sidewalks and driveways.