Baccharis pilularis (Coyote Bush)

Native to the western U. S., Baccharis pilularis (Coyote Bush) is an evergreen shrub of very variable habit. It grows in a prostrate and mat-forming form on dunes and coastal areas with onshore winds and salt spray and in an upright and rounded form at higher elevations inland. Its dark brown stems are clad with oval to rounded, shiny bright green leaves. Coyote Bush is dioecious with male and female flowers on separate plants. From mid-summer to fall, a profusion of white female flowers and yellow male flowers occur in small, dense, terminal clusters. Coyote Bush is an extremely important plant for pollinators (bees, wasps, butterflies), due to its abundant production of pollen and nectar and its late bloom period. Coyote Bush is also great wildlife habitat providing cover for rabbits and other small mammals. The flowers 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, Coyote Bush is tolerant of heat, drought, wind, and poor or dry soils. Noted for its deer resistance and bright green foliage throughout the year, Coyote Bush is a useful low-maintenance groundcover for sunny banks. Fire-retardant, it is also used for restoration and erosion control projects. The upright form of Coyote Bush is a reliable choice for hedgerows as it is easy to establish from transplants and to manage by pruning.

• Grows up to 8-24 in. tall (20-60 cm) and 5-6 ft. wide (160-180 cm) or grows up to 4-8 ft tall and wide (120-240 cm). Female plants self-seed readily.
• Thrives in full sun in dry, sandy, medium to coarse, acidic to neutral, well-drained soils. Tolerates some shade, heat, drought, wind, and poor soils.
• Excellent as a ground cover for dry gardens, banks, and slopes (soil stabilization), informal evergreen hedges.
• Generally pest and disease free.
• Tolerant of pruning. Thin as needed.
• Propagate by seed or softwood cuttings. No seed pretreatment is necessary.
• Native to California, New Mexico, and Oregon.