Hazardia squarrosa
saw-toothed goldenbush
Coastal California and northwestern Mexico
Attracts PollinatorsAttracts ButterfliesDeer ResistantDrought TolerantContainer Friendly
Native to North America
Overview
Hazardia squarrosa is an evergreen shrub in the daisy family, native to coastal California and Baja California, growing 1.5-5 feet (0.5-1.5 m) tall with stiff, upright, woody stems. The small leaves are leathery, oblong, sharply toothed, and clasp the stem, often held at right angles, giving the plant a bristly look. From late summer into fall it produces yellow flower heads about 0.5 inch (1.3 cm) wide along the upper stems; the heads may carry short ray florets or consist only of disk florets, and they age to reddish or orange as they fade. The flowers draw late-season bees and butterflies when little else is in bloom. It grows in coastal sage scrub, chaparral, bluffs, and dry slopes near the coast, tolerating wind, salt spray, drought, and poor soils. The species is drought-deciduous in dry summers, dropping some leaves, and resprouts with fall rains. Its stiff, prickly foliage and open form suit dry, low-water gardens but give little soft texture. It grows in full sun on fast-draining soil and tolerates seaside conditions. Plants are hardy in USDA zones 8 to 10.
Native Range
Native to coastal southern and central California and northern Baja California, growing on sea bluffs, coastal sage scrub, chaparral, and dry slopes, often within reach of salt spray.Suggested Uses
Used in coastal, native, and water-wise gardens, on dry banks, and in habitat plantings, spaced 2-3 feet (60-90 cm) apart. Its late bloom and salt tolerance suit seaside and pollinator plantings. Works among other drought-tolerant shrubs in coastal sage scrub restorations.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1'6" - 5'
Width/Spread2' - 4'
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
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
Grow in full sun in fast-draining sandy, rocky, or gravelly soil; it tolerates poor ground, wind, and coastal salt spray. Water is rarely needed once established, as the species is adapted to dry summers and may shed some leaves in drought. Overwatering and heavy soils cause root rot. It tolerates seaside exposure that damages many other plants. Light shaping keeps the open form tidy. No serious pests or diseases affect it.Pruning
Prune lightly after flowering or in late winter to shape the plant and remove dead wood. It tolerates trimming but is slow to fill in if cut hard. Removing spent flower heads tidies the appearance.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
winter
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 5 gallons