Baccharis halimifolia
groundsel tree
Eastern and Gulf coastal North America
Overview
Baccharis halimifolia is a deciduous to semi-evergreen shrub native to the eastern and Gulf coasts of North America, growing 5-12 feet (1.5-3.7 m) tall with an upright, multi-stemmed, rounded form. The gray-green leaves are oval to wedge-shaped, 1-3 inches (2.5-7.5 cm) long, with coarse teeth toward the tip, and are thick and slightly fleshy. The shrub is dioecious, with male and female flowers on separate plants. Small whitish flower heads open in late summer and fall. On female plants the seeds carry long, silky white bristles that form showy plumes, covering the shrub in a cloud of white in autumn. B. halimifolia grows in salt marshes, coastal scrub, ditches, and disturbed ground, tolerating salt spray, brackish water, drought, and poor soil. It spreads by wind-borne seed and colonizes open ground quickly, behaving as an invasive species in Australia, Europe, and other regions where it has been introduced. The foliage and seeds contain compounds toxic to livestock if eaten in quantity. Growth is fast, and plants can flower within two to three years. It tolerates periodic flooding and coastal exposure that few shrubs withstand.
Native Range
Baccharis halimifolia is native to the Atlantic and Gulf coastal plain of North America, from Massachusetts south to Florida and west to Texas, with inland spread along disturbed corridors. It grows in salt marshes, coastal scrub, and brackish wetland margins.Suggested Uses
B. halimifolia is used in coastal and salt-tolerant plantings, dune stabilization, and brackish wetland restoration within its native range. The autumn seed plumes give a late-season display in naturalized settings. It is planted as a windbreak and screen on exposed, saline sites.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height5' - 12'
Width/Spread5' - 10'
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
gray-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
B. halimifolia grows in full sun and tolerates a wide range of soils, including sand, clay, and brackish or periodically flooded ground. It withstands salt spray, drought, and coastal wind once established. Water needs are low to moderate. Hardy in USDA zones 5-9, it tolerates winter cold across its coastal range. The plant self-seeds heavily and spreads aggressively, so removing female plants before seed disperses limits its spread. Its foliage is toxic to grazing livestock.Pruning
B. halimifolia can be cut back hard in late winter to control size, as it resprouts readily from the base. Removing female plants before the seed plumes ripen reduces unwanted spread. Old or crossing stems are taken out while dormant.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
winter