Bisbee Peak Rush-rose
Crocanthemum scoparium var. scoparium
Care
full sun
very low
Fast, Medium; Tolerates a variety of soils. Tolerates serpentine soil..
2–2ft tall , 2–2ft wide
Deciduous
Friendly
Prized
Desert regions of southern California including the Mojave and Colorado Deserts, below 2000 ft elevation in sandy washes and desert scrub.
Care Guide
Planting
Plant Bisbee Peak Rush-rose in full sun in a location with fast or medium drainage - it tolerates a variety of soils including serpentine soil, so drainage matters more than soil type. Space it to accommodate its mature size of about 2 feet tall. The best planting window in the Bay Area is fall through early spring when the plant can establish roots before summer heat arrives.
After Planting
Water weekly during your first summer to help establish the plant, then taper off significantly once established - by year two, you should only need to water once a month or less during summer. This is a deciduous plant, so expect it to drop leaves during dormancy; don't mistake this for decline. The #1 mistake is overwatering: this native thrives in dry conditions and will rot if kept too moist, so err on the side of too dry rather than too wet.
Visit Calscape for more information about Bisbee Peak Rush-rose
Wildlife Supported
Insects
Early spring forager during colony establishment and worker emergence
Larval host plant; critical for bee larval development
Larval host plant; supports multiple generations
Spring pollinator activity on early blooms
Larval host plant; wood/stem boring beetle development