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Coast Wallflower

Erysimum capitatum

perennial herb View on Calscape

Care

Sun

part shade

Soil

Fast, Medium; Prefers beach sand but tolerates garden soil.

Bloom

Mar-Aug

Deer

Resistant

Container

Friendly

Fragrant

Yes

Flowers

Prized

Native Range

Coastal areas from Mendocino County south to San Diego County, typically below 1000 ft elevation in coastal scrub and grassland, extending to Baja California.

Care Guide

Planting

Plant your Coast Wallflower in fall or early spring in a location with partial shade. It prefers fast-draining soil and will thrive in beach sand, though it tolerates regular garden soil as long as drainage is excellent - avoid heavy clay. Space plants to accommodate their eventual height and spread, giving them room to develop their characteristic erect stems from the basal rosette.

After Planting

Water weekly during your plant's first summer to establish it, then reduce frequency as it matures. Coast Wallflower is moderate in difficulty, so the main thing to avoid is overwatering or planting in poorly draining soil, which will kill it faster than anything else. Expect flowers from March through August in your first year, and know that this plant supports local butterflies and moths, so resist the urge to use pesticides.

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