California Bush Sunflower (Encelia californica)

Bush Sunflower (Encelia californica) is a colorful, fast-growing shrub that is very easy to grow. A member of the Daisy family, its quick growth rate makes it a popular choice for new native and pollinator gardens. Gardeners sometimes choose to remove it after other plants become established. The large yellow flowers bloom from winter to spring and attract butterflies and bees. They are also attractive as cut flowers. After blooming, the seeds provide food for small, seed-eating birds. Bush Sunflower grows best in full sun and tolerates different soil types. It is native to Southern California and is not cold-tolerant. It needs very little water and will normally go dormant in summer, although some supplemental irrigation can help keep it looking green. Cutting it back encourages healthy, compact new growth, and deadheading spent flowers can prolong the blooming season. As an aggressive spreader, it can crowd out other plants, but it is useful as a groundcover and on slopes. From Calscape.

Pick-up only, no shipping available. 

Grower: The Watershed Nursery

Other Names Used: Bush sunflower, California brittlebrush, California encelia

Family: Asteraceae

Life Cycle: Perennial

Plant Type: Shrub

Sun Exposure: Full, Partial

Bloom Period: Winter, Spring, Summer (February to June)

Bloom Color(s): Yellow

Plant Height: 2-5 feet tall

Plant Width: 3-7 feet wide

California Regions:

• Central California Coast
• Southern Coast
• Southern California Inland
  

Ecological Benefits:

• Drought Tolerant
  
• Attracts pollinators, birds, wildlife
  

Ecological Functions:

• Grows in Containers
• Groundcover
• Hedge
• Living Fence
• Bank stabilization

Habitat Type:

• Chaparral
• Coastal Sage Scrub

Human Uses/Cautions: 

Skill Level: Beginner

Seed Pretreatment: None