Crocanthemum scoparium
peak rushrose
California and southwestern United States
Attracts PollinatorsAttracts ButterfliesDeer ResistantDrought TolerantContainer Friendly
Native to North America
Overview
Crocanthemum scoparium is a low, wiry subshrub of dry open ground in California and the Southwest, forming tufts of slender, broom-like green stems 4-16 inches (10-40 cm) tall from a woody base. The small narrow leaves 0.2-0.6 inch (5-15 mm) long are sparse and often drop in drought, leaving the green stems to carry on photosynthesis. From spring into early summer the stem tips bear bright yellow five-petaled flowers about 0.5-0.8 inch (12-20 mm) across, each opening for only a day, with new flowers following over several weeks. The flowers come in two forms on the same plant: open petaled flowers early in the season and smaller petal-less self-pollinating flowers later. C. scoparium grows on dry slopes, chaparral openings, sandy flats, and burned ground, often appearing in numbers after fire. It tolerates heat, drought, and lean soils and forms root associations with fungi that help it grow in poor ground. The brief one-day flowers and sparse leaves give a thin, open texture, and the short-lived plants depend on reseeding to persist.
Native Range
Crocanthemum scoparium is native to California, Oregon, Nevada, Arizona, and Baja California, where it grows on dry slopes, chaparral openings, sandy flats, and recently burned ground.Suggested Uses
C. scoparium is used in California native and pollinator gardens, rock and gravel plantings, and restoration of dry and burned sites where it adds yellow spring bloom. It suits unirrigated slopes and the front of dry beds. Its short life and reseeding make it a self-renewing filler in naturalistic plantings.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height4" - 1'4"
Width/Spread8" - 1'4"
Bloom Information
C. scoparium flowers from spring into early summer, roughly March through June, with each yellow flower lasting a single day and new ones opening over several weeks. The early petaled flowers draw bees, while later petal-less flowers self-pollinate without opening fully. Small dry capsules follow and release seed through summer.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
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
C. scoparium grows in full sun on dry, sharply drained sandy, gravelly, or rocky soil with a neutral to slightly acidic pH of 6.0-7.5. It withstands heat, drought, and lean soils once established, aided by root fungi that help it draw nutrients from poor ground. Summer irrigation and rich soil cause weak, short-lived growth. It establishes from seed, which often germinates strongly after fire or soil disturbance. Little water is needed beyond establishment. Pests and diseases are rare in its dry, open habitat.Pruning
C. scoparium needs little pruning. A light trim of spent stems after flowering keeps the tuft compact. The short-lived plants are usually left to reseed rather than cut back hard.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons