Baccharis halimifolia (Eastern Baccharis)

Prized for its showy fall display, Baccharis halimifolia (Eastern Baccharis) is a vigorous, bushy shrub of open, upright habit with oval, sharply toothed, gray-green leaves, 2 in. long (5 cm). The foliage is attractive and may remain evergreen to semi-evergreen in mild winter areas. Eastern Baccharis is dioecious with male and female flowers on separate plants. From late summer to fall, a profusion of white flowers occur in small, dense, terminal clusters. The flowers are attractive to bees, butterflies, and other pollinating insects. They are followed on female plants by copious amounts of silvery-white, plume-like seeds resembling paintbrushes. To avoid seed production, you may want to choose a male plant – although you will miss the showy white fruits. Attractive at a time when few other small trees and shrubs are flowering, Eastern Baccharis is tolerant of difficult soil conditions, including poor or dry soils and wet sites. Heat, drought, and salt spray are all tolerated. Fast-growing, it is a useful plant as a specimen, in bogs or rain gardens, along streams and ponds. Great for massing and naturalizing in coastal plantings. Somewhat short-lived (50 years), its densely branched habit provides shelter for birds and other animals.

• Grows up to 3-10 ft. tall and wide (90-300 cm). Self-seed readily and can become quite aggressive in garden settings.
• Thrives in sandy to loamy, moist to wet, well-drained soils in full sun. Tolerant of a wide range of conditions including poor, rocky, clay, dry or wet soils, and salt spray.
• Excellent for coastal gardens, bog gardens, rain gardens, and near ponds and streams. Can be used as a hedge.
• Generally pest and disease free.
• Tolerant of pruning, it can be trained to a small tree if desired.
• Leaves are toxic to livestock if ingested in large quantities.
• Propagate by seed or cuttings in summer.
• Native to North America, and South America.