Viguiera spp.

goldeneyes

Asteraceae

The Americas - southwestern North America, Mexico, and South America

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant

Native to North America

SunFull Sun

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 7–10

Overview

Viguiera spp. is a genus of yellow-flowered plants in the daisy family (Asteraceae), known as goldeneyes, native to the warmer parts of the Americas. In its broad sense the group holds around 150 species of perennials, subshrubs, and annuals, though botanists have split many into related genera. Plants typically grow 1-6 feet (0.3-1.8 m) tall on branched, sometimes woody stems, with rough or resinous green to grey-green leaves that are often paired toward the base and alternate above. From summer into autumn they carry many small sunflower-like heads 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) across, each with bright yellow ray florets around a yellow to brownish disc. Viguiera spp. grows on dry slopes, desert grassland, and roadsides, tolerating heat, drought, and lean soils, and several species flower freely after summer rains. The plants can look sparse and weedy between bloom flushes and may self-seed into open ground. The yellow daisies are the main feature in late summer.

Native Range

Viguiera spp. is native to the Americas, with most species in the southwestern United States, Mexico, and South America, growing on dry slopes, desert grassland, washes, and disturbed roadsides.

Suggested Uses

Used in native, xeric, wildlife, and roadside plantings and on dry banks, spaced 2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 m) apart. The late-season flowers draw butterflies and native bees, and the seeds feed small birds. Goldeneyes suit naturalistic and desert gardens rather than formal borders.

How to Identify

Recognized by branched, often resinous stems bearing rough green to grey-green leaves and many small sunflower-like flower heads, each with a ring of yellow ray florets around a yellow to brown central disc. The heads sit on slender stalks above the foliage. Goldeneyes resemble small wild sunflowers (Helianthus spp.) but are generally bushier and smaller-flowered.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 6'

Width/Spread1' - 4'

Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~12 weeks

Summer Fall

Goldeneyes bloom mainly from summer into autumn, roughly June to October, often most heavily after summer rains. The small yellow heads open over a long period. Flowering is sparse in deep shade or during drought.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

green to grey-green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

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

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 8.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

sand rocky loam

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

1-2 years to flowering size

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grow Viguiera spp. in full sun and sharply drained sandy, rocky, or gravelly soil with a pH around 6.0-8.0. Once established the plants are drought-tolerant and need little or no summer water in dry climates. Rich soil and frequent watering produce lank, floppy growth and fewer flowers. Cut plants back after bloom or in late winter to keep them compact and to limit self-seeding. They tolerate heat and reflected sun and suit native and low-water plantings. Tender species are damaged by hard frost and may be grown as annuals in cold regions.

Pruning

Cut the stems back after flowering or in late winter to remove spent growth and keep the plant dense. Shearing the seed heads limits self-sown seedlings. The plants resprout from the base where they are root-hardy.

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Unknown

Perennials

Viguiera spp.

goldeneyes

Asteraceae

The Americas - southwestern North America, Mexico, and South America

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant

Native to North America

SunFull Sun

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 7–10

Overview

Native Range

Viguiera spp. is native to the Americas, with most species in the southwestern United States, Mexico, and South America, growing on dry slopes, desert grassland, washes, and disturbed roadsides.