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El Dorado Coast Sunflower

Encelia californica

perennial herb View on Calscape

Care

Sun

part shade, full sun

Water

very low

Soil

Fast, Medium, Slow; Tolerates a wide variety of soils. Tolerates sodic soil..

Size

2–5ft tall , 3–7ft wide

Bloom

Jan-Dec

Foliage

Deciduous

Deer

Resistant

Container

Friendly

Flowers

Prized

Native Range

Coastal bluffs and sandy scrub from Santa Barbara to San Diego counties, below 1500 ft elevation.

Care Guide

Planting

Plant your El Dorado Coast Sunflower in full sun (it tolerates part shade but prefers full sun) in a location with fast-draining soil - it thrives in a wide variety of soil types and will grow in poor or alkaline soils where other plants struggle. This is a fast-growing shrub that can spread aggressively, so give it space away from smaller plants or place it where its vigor is an asset, like on a slope or as a groundcover. Plant in fall or winter if possible to establish roots before summer.

After Planting

Water weekly during the first summer to help it establish, then cut back to once a week or less once established - this plant needs very little water and will naturally go dormant in summer, turning brown and sparse. In year one, expect vigorous growth and plan to cut it back in late winter or early spring to encourage compact, healthy new shape; deadheading spent flowers will extend blooming through spring. The biggest mistake is overwatering: if it looks stressed in summer, that's normal dormancy, not a cry for help - resist the urge to water frequently.

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