Grindelia integrifolia (Puget Sound Gumweed)

Grindelia integrifolia (Puget Sound Gumweed) is an upright, tap-rooted, perennial to semi-woody subshrub with stout, leafy, branched stems covered in long, soft hairs. The alternate leaves are stalkless, often with clasping bases, up to 3 in. long (7 cm), and dotted with glands that produce a sticky resin. In early summer to fall, yellow daisy-like flower heads, 2 in. across (5 cm), appear above the foliage. Each daisy is composed of 10-35 yellow ray flowers surrounding a yellow center disk. They sit above a whorled cup of green bracts, somewhat glutinous, with long, spreading, thin tips. Puget Sound Gumweed is a common wildflower found along beaches, rocky shores, wet meadows, wetland prairies, ditches, pastures and salt marshes along the coast, coastal headlands and bluffs, and various non-maritime habitats in the Puget Trough. It is an attractive perennial for use in wildflower meadows, butterfly gardens, and gardens close to the coast. It can also be used in prairie and wetland restoration projects, pollinator enhancement plantings, hedgerows, and it is a good plant for reclaiming seaside land. Puget Sound Gumweed is an important source of pollen and nectar for butterflies, native bees, flies, wasps and other beneficial insects.

• Grows up to 8-40 in. tall (20-100 cm). Established plants will readily self-sow, so flower heads should be removed after blooming if spread is not desired.
• Performs best in full sun in sandy to clayey, well-drained soils. Tolerant of light shade, poor soils, and salt.
• A beautiful plant for coastal gardens, butterfly gardens, pollinator gardens.
• No serious pest or disease issues.
• Propagation is easiest from seed, and germination rates are generally high. Seed can be sown in containers or directly on site in the fall or spring.
• Native to British Columbia, California, Oregon.