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California Native Plant

Encelia farinosa

Brittlebush, Desert Encelia

Plant photo of: Encelia farinosa
Information by: The Plant Nerd Inc.        Photographer: Mountain States Nursery

 

Description

This deciduous mounding shrub typically has gray leaves that can reach 4' tall and wide. However, the leaves will turn white in drought conditions. Bright yellow 1" wide daisies appear in spring and summer. There is rapid growth following rain but this shrub is short-lived. Individual plants will reseed to repopulate. It does well in hot areas but cannot tolerate clay soils due to root rot. It will become overgrown and fragile if overwatered. It will suffer frost damage at 25 degrees F.

Maintenance Tips

Encelia farinosa is a desert shrub that is native to the Southwestern United States, including California. It has a rounded form that grows up to 4’ tall and wide. The foliage is made up of light grey fuzzy leaves and yellow daisy-like flowers that bloom from late winter until summer. It has adapted to live in the desert by going deciduous from summer until late fall when the rain starts again. Around late summer, cut back the loose woody branches hard to about 6”, where it will begin to send out a lush new growth again in the fall.

 

Plant Type

Shrub

Height Range

3-6'

Flower Color

Yellow

Flower Season

Spring, Summer

Leaf Color

Grey Green, Grey, White

Bark Color

n/a

Fruit Color

n/a

Fruit Season

n/a

Sun

Full, Half

Water

Low

Growth Rate

Moderate

Soil Type

Sandy, Loam, Rocky

Soil Condition

Average, Poor, Well-drained, Dry

Soil pH

Neutral, Basic

Adverse Factors

Attracts Bees

Design Styles

Mediterranean, Ranch, Wild Garden

Accenting Features

Showy Flowers, Unusual Foliage

Seasonal Interest

Spring, Summer

Location Uses

Entry, Shrub Border, Foundation, Parking Strip, Patio, Park, Parking Lot, Raised Planter, Walkways, With Rocks

Special Uses

Container, Erosion Control, Filler, Mass Planting, Fire Resistant, Naturalizing

Attracts Wildlife

n/a

Water Saving Tip:

Mulching and adding compost to soil can minimize evaporation and help soil absorb and store water.