Encelia californica
California brittlebush
Coastal Southern California and Baja California
Attracts PollinatorsAttracts ButterfliesDeer ResistantDrought TolerantContainer Friendly
Native to North America
Overview
Encelia californica, California brittlebush or coast sunflower, is a fast-growing, rounded shrub of the coastal sage scrub of southern California and Baja California, reaching 2-5 feet (60-150 cm) tall and as wide. It carries smooth, lance-shaped to oval green leaves 1-2.5 inches (2.5-6 cm) long on brittle, resinous stems. From late winter through spring it produces bright yellow daisy-like flower heads about 2-3 inches (5-8 cm) across, each with a dark brown to purplish central disk, held singly on long, nearly leafless stalks above the foliage. The flowers draw native bees and butterflies over a long season. In summer drought the shrub drops its leaves and rests, leafing out again with autumn and winter rain, so it can look bare during dry spells. It tolerates poor, rocky, and sandy soils and salt wind but rots if overwatered or grown in heavy, wet ground. The plant is short-lived, often lasting only several years, though it self-sows and is easily renewed. Frost below the mid-20s F damages the top growth.
Native Range
Native to the coastal bluffs, canyons, and sage scrub of southern California and Baja California, Mexico, mostly near the coast. It grows on dry slopes and disturbed ground.Suggested Uses
Planted in dry gardens, coastal banks, and habitat and pollinator plantings in mild, low-water landscapes. It suits erosion control on sunny slopes and combines with other coastal sage scrub natives. It works in large containers where drainage is sharp.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2' - 5'
Width/Spread3' - 5'
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
yellow with dark brown centerFoliage Description
green to grey-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-10 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
Encelia californica grows in full sun on well-drained sandy, rocky, or loam soils and tolerates salt wind and lean ground. Once established it needs little or no summer water and rots in heavy, wet soil or with frequent irrigation. Light watering in spring extends the bloom, but it is otherwise left dry through its summer dormancy. Cutting the plant back after flowering keeps it compact and can prompt a flush of new growth with autumn rain. It needs no feeding in native soils. Self-sown seedlings appear nearby and replace short-lived parent plants.Pruning
Cut stems back by about a third after the main bloom to keep a dense, rounded form and limit legginess. Clear dead or frost-damaged growth in spring. Shearing in late summer encourages fresh foliage when the rains return.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 5 gallons