Wedelia hispida
Texas creeping-oxeye
Central and southern Texas and northeastern Mexico
Attracts PollinatorsAttracts ButterfliesDeer ResistantDrought TolerantContainer Friendly
Native to North America
Overview
Wedelia hispida is a compact, woody-based perennial in the aster family, forming a mound 1-3 feet (30-90 cm) tall and wide. The stems and dark green leaves are rough and bristly to the touch, with the leaves narrowly lance-shaped, 1-2.5 inches (2.5-6 cm) long, and coarsely toothed. From spring through fall it carries daisy-like flower heads about 1 inch (2.5 cm) across, with yellow to orange ray florets surrounding a darker yellow center. The plant grows on rocky limestone slopes, in open woodland, and in brush across central and south Texas and into northeastern Mexico. It is drought tolerant once established and blooms through summer heat, slowing only in the hottest, driest spells. Hard freezes kill the top growth, but established plants resprout from the woody base in spring within their hardiness range. The bristly foliage makes it generally passed over by deer, and the flowers draw butterflies and native bees. Its informal, somewhat sprawling habit can look untidy without occasional cutting back, which limits its use in formal beds.
Native Range
Native to central and southern Texas and adjacent northeastern Mexico. It grows on rocky limestone slopes, in open woodland, and in brushland in hot, dry climates.Suggested Uses
Used in xeriscape and native plant gardens, rock gardens, and butterfly plantings in hot, dry regions, typically spaced 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) apart. It suits informal borders and slopes and tolerates the heat of parking strips and other exposed sites.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1' - 3'
Width/Spread1' - 3'
Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
yellow to orangeFoliage Description
dark 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
Wedelia hispida grows in full sun to partial shade in well-drained rocky, sandy, or limestone soils and tolerates alkaline ground. It is drought tolerant once established and needs little supplemental water, though occasional deep watering extends the bloom. Overly rich or wet soil produces weak, floppy growth. It tolerates a soil pH from about 6.5 to 8.0 and handles reflected heat in exposed sites. In zones 8 and warmer the woody base survives winter and resprouts after frost cuts back the top. Cutting plants back in late winter holds the habit compact.Pruning
Cutting the plant back by about half in late winter or early spring removes frost-killed stems and keeps the mound dense. Light trimming through the season tidies the sprawling growth and brings on more flowers. Plants resprout readily from the woody base after hard cutting.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
early spring
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 3 gallons