Chaenactis fremontii
Fremont's pincushion
Attracts PollinatorsAttracts ButterfliesDeer ResistantDrought TolerantContainer Friendly
Native to North America
Overview
Chaenactis fremontii is a desert annual in the sunflower family, native to the southwestern United States. It grows 4-16 inches (10-40 cm) tall, branching from the base into a rounded, open form, with sparse, fleshy, narrow leaves divided into a few thread-like segments, mostly near the base. The flower heads are about 0.5-0.75 inch (12-18 mm) across, rayless, made up of small white to pale pinkish disk flowers, with the outer flowers enlarged and notched so the head looks like a small pincushion. The outermost flowers can be larger and flared, giving an uneven, lacy edge. It blooms in spring, the timing and abundance tied to winter rainfall, and can cover desert flats in bloom in wet years. It grows on sandy and gravelly desert flats, washes, and slopes, often among creosote bush. As an annual it completes its life in one season and dies as the desert dries. In dry years plants stay small and produce few heads.
Native Range
Chaenactis fremontii is native to the deserts of the southwestern United States, including the Mojave and Sonoran deserts of California, Nevada, Arizona, and Utah, and into northwestern Mexico. It grows on open sandy and gravelly desert flats, washes, and slopes.Suggested Uses
Chaenactis fremontii is used in desert and native wildflower gardens, rock gardens, and seed mixes for dry, sunny ground. It suits naturalized sandy areas where it can self-sow. Its flowers are visited by desert bees, butterflies, and other insects.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height4" - 1'4"
Width/Spread4" - 1'
Bloom Information
White to pale pink pincushion heads open in spring (March-May), with the timing and amount of bloom set by winter rainfall. Flowers open over a few weeks and the heads form fluffy seed clusters as they dry. In wet years bloom is heavy; in dry years few heads form.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
white to pale pinkFoliage 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
Water & Climate
Water Needs
Drought Tolerance
Drought tolerant when established
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Chaenactis fremontii grows in full sun and sharply drained sandy or gravelly desert soils of low fertility. As a desert annual it germinates with cool-season rain and tolerates heat and drought as the season ends. Sow seed in fall on open ground where the plants are to grow, as it resents transplanting. It needs no fertilizer and little water beyond natural rainfall in its climate. It completes its cycle in one season and dies after setting seed. Self-sown seed germinates in later years when rains return.Pruning
No pruning is needed. Plants can be left to set and drop seed, or pulled once they dry if reseeding is not wanted.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons
✓ Toxicity
Non-toxicPlanting Guide
Planting Methods & Timing
Planting Method
direct sow
Direct Sow Timing
fall
Days to Maturity
50–90 days
Plant Spacing
6 inches