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California Native Plant

Encelia farinosa

Brittlebush, Desert Encelia

Plant photo of: Encelia farinosa
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Information by: Jerry Sortomme Editor        Photographer: Mountain States Nursery

 

Description

This deciduous mounding shrub typically has gray leaves that can reach 3' tall and wide. However, the leaves will turn white in drought conditions. Bright yellow 1" wide daisies appear in spring and summer. There is rapid growth following rain but this shrub is short-lived. Individual plants will reseed to repopulate. It does well in hot areas but cannot tolerate clay soils due to root rot. It will become overgrown and fragile if overwatered. It will suffer frost damage at 25 degrees F.

 

Plant Type

Shrub

Height Range

1-3', 3-6'

Flower Color

Yellow

Flower Season

Spring, Summer

Leaf Color

Grey Green, Grey, White

Bark Color

n/a

Fruit Color

n/a

Fruit Season

n/a

Sun

Full, Half

Water

Low

Growth Rate

Moderate

Soil Type

Sandy, Clay, Loam, Rocky, Unparticular

Soil Condition

Average, Poor, Well-drained, Dry

Soil pH

Neutral, Basic

Adverse Factors

Attracts Bees

Design Styles

Ranch, Wild Garden

Accenting Features

Showy Flowers, Unusual Foliage

Seasonal Interest

Spring, Summer

Location Uses

Entry, Shrub Border, Foundation, Parking Strip, Patio, Parking Lot, Raised Planter, Walls / Fences, Walkways

Special Uses

Erosion Control, Filler, Mass Planting, Fire Resistant, Naturalizing

Attracts Wildlife

n/a

Water Saving Tip:

Replace turf with groundcovers, trees, and shrubs. If you have areas where no one uses the grass, patches that do not grow well, or a turf area too small to water without runoff, consider replacing the turf with water-efficient landscaping.