Eriophyllum staechadifolium
seaside woolly sunflower
Pacific coast from southern Oregon to southern California
Attracts PollinatorsAttracts ButterfliesDeer ResistantDrought TolerantContainer Friendly
Native to North America
Overview
Eriophyllum staechadifolium is a mounding evergreen subshrub growing 1.5-5 ft (0.5-1.5 m) tall and 3-5 ft (0.9-1.5 m) wide, with woody lower stems and softer herbaceous upper growth. The stems and leaf undersides are covered in dense white woolly hairs, giving the foliage a gray-green cast. Leaves are 0.75-2.5 in (2-6 cm) long, pinnately lobed, with margins rolled under. From late spring into summer it produces flat-topped clusters of small yellow flower heads, each head about 0.4 in (1 cm) across and combining ray and disk florets. The species grows on coastal bluffs, dunes, and scrub within the maritime fog belt, where it withstands salt spray and sandy soils. It grows in USDA zones 8 to 10 and tolerates wind and drought once established. Away from coastal conditions it is shorter-lived and prone to root rot in soils that stay wet. In gardens it becomes open and woody at the base without periodic cutting back.
Native Range
Eriophyllum staechadifolium is native to the Pacific coast of North America, from southern Oregon south through coastal California. It grows on sea bluffs, dunes, and coastal scrub within the maritime fog zone.Suggested Uses
Used in coastal and water-wise gardens, on slopes for erosion control, and in mixed plantings with other California natives, spaced 3-4 ft (0.9-1.2 m) apart. The summer flowers attract native bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1'6" - 5'
Width/Spread3' - 5'
Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years
Colors
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
gray-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
Eriophyllum staechadifolium grows in full sun and sharp-draining sandy or rocky soils with pH from 6.0 to 7.5. It withstands salt spray, wind, and extended summer drought once established, reflecting its coastal origins. Water needs are low, and soils that stay saturated promote root rot. It is hardy in USDA zones 8 through 10 and remains evergreen through mild winters. Aphids may cluster on new growth, and the base becomes woody and open with age.Pruning
Cut back by up to one third after flowering to limit woody, open growth at the base and encourage denser foliage. Spent flower clusters can be sheared off to tidy the plant and reduce self-seeding. Hard pruning into bare old wood may not resprout.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
summer
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 5 gallons