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California pearly everlasting

Pseudognaphalium californicum

perennial herb View on Calscape

Care

Sun

full sun

Water

very low

Soil

Fast, Medium, Slow; Very tolerant of various soils including clay, shale, sand, etc. Tolerates saline soil.,Tolerates serpentine soil.,Tolerates sodic soil..

Size

0–2ft tall , 2–2ft wide

Bloom

Jan-Dec

Foliage

Deciduous

Deer

Resistant

Container

Friendly

Native Range

Coastal scrub and grasslands throughout coastal California from Mendocino County to San Diego County, below 3000 ft elevation.

Care Guide

Planting

Plant California pearly everlasting in full sun with fast to slow draining soil - it's remarkably tolerant of clay, sand, shale, and even saline or serpentine soils, so soil type is rarely a problem in the Bay Area. Plant in fall or winter to take advantage of the rainy season for establishment. Space plants 1–2 feet apart to give them room to branch out, and choose an informal garden area or wildscape where you won't mind volunteer seedlings popping up.

After Planting

Water regularly during your first summer to establish roots, then cut back to once a month or less once established - this is a drought-tolerant native that actually prefers dry conditions. Expect deciduous winter dormancy; the plant flowers winter through spring and produces copious seeds. Your biggest challenge won't be keeping it alive, but managing its prolific self-seeding: pull unwanted seedlings while small, or deadhead spent flowers if you want to prevent reseeding in specific areas.

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