Xylorhiza orcuttii
Orcutt's Woodyaster
Colorado Desert (SE California and Baja California)
Attracts PollinatorsAttracts ButterfliesDeer ResistantDrought TolerantContainer Friendly
Native to North America
Overview
Xylorhiza orcuttii is a perennial, woody-based subshrub growing 1-3 feet (30-90 cm) tall, forming a rounded mound of brittle, branching stems from a stout woody root. The leaves are narrow to lance-shaped, 1-3 inches (2.5-8 cm) long, grey-green, stiff, and edged with small spiny teeth. Large daisy-like flower heads 1.5-2.5 inches (4-6 cm) across are carried singly at the branch tips, with many slender pale lavender to white ray florets around a yellow central disc. Flowering runs mainly from March to May, with scattered bloom after rain at other times. The plant grows in the Colorado and Sonoran deserts of southeastern California and adjacent Baja California, on dry washes, clay banks, and badland slopes, often on gypsum or alkaline soils. It is deep-rooted and tolerant of intense heat and drought. The species has a narrow natural range and is uncommon in the wild. A limitation in cultivation is its strict need for heat and sharp drainage, since it fails in cool, damp, or heavy garden soils.
Native Range
Xylorhiza orcuttii is native to the low deserts of southeastern California and northeastern Baja California, Mexico, within the Colorado Desert region. It grows on dry washes, clay and gypsum banks, and eroded badland slopes below about 1,500 feet (460 m).Suggested Uses
Grown in desert and dry gardens, rock gardens, and gravel plantings for its large lavender flower heads, spaced 18-30 inches (45-75 cm) apart. Suited to hot, sunny, sharply drained banks and washes. The flowers draw desert bees, butterflies, and other pollinators in spring.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1' - 3'
Width/Spread1' - 3'
Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years
Bloom Information
Large lavender-and-yellow flower heads open mainly from March to May, following winter and spring rains. In wetter years scattered heads appear at other times. Each head is carried singly at a branch tip and lasts several days.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
lavender to white with yellow centerFoliage Description
grey-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
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
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Xylorhiza orcuttii grows in full sun and dry, fast-draining desert soils, including sandy, gravelly, gypsum, and alkaline ground. It is grown from seed and resents wet, cool, or heavy soils, which rot the woody root. Established plants tolerate extreme heat, wind, and prolonged drought, drawing on a deep root system. Little or no summer water is needed in a desert climate, and overhead irrigation in humid areas brings rot. The plant holds its mounded form only in lean soil with sharp drainage.Pruning
Light trimming after the main bloom removes spent flower stems and keeps the mound compact. Cutting into old, leafless wood is avoided, since it resprouts slowly. No other pruning is needed.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
late spring
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 3 gallons