Coastal Tidy-tips
Layia platyglossa
Care
full sun
low
Fast, Medium, Slow; Prefers clay or loamy soil, tolerates sandy soil.
0–2ft tall , 0–2ft wide
Jan-Dec
Resistant
Friendly
Prized
Coastal bluffs and scrub from Santa Barbara County to San Luis Obispo County, below 500 ft elevation.
Care Guide
Planting
Plant Coastal Tidy-tips in full sun in fall or winter to catch the spring bloom season. They prefer clay or loamy soil but tolerate sandy soil, and they're flexible about drainage - fast, medium, or slow all work. Mass them together for the best visual impact, and pair them with other wildflowers that share their low-water needs. Space them about 6-12 inches apart to give them room to fill in.
After Planting
Water weekly during establishment and through the growing season, then dial back to a maximum of 3 times per month once established. Let the soil dry between waterings - these are drought-tolerant wildflowers, so overwatering is the #1 mistake Bay Area gardeners make. Since this is an annual, enjoy the blooms through spring and expect the plant to decline as temperatures rise in late spring or summer; simply let it finish its natural cycle rather than trying to keep it going year-round.
Endangered & Threatened Species Supported
Federally endangered since 1967; restricted to serpentine grasslands in Bay Area
Wildlife Supported
Insects
Spring foraging resource for establishing colonies
Early spring nectar and pollen source for hive establishment
Early season pollen source for queen provisioning and colony growth
Spring and early summer nectar source
Nectar forage during spring emergence and breeding
Spring pollen provisioning for larval development
Spring pollen forage and aphid hunting on plant
Spring pollen and nectar source
+5 more species