Description

Baccharis pilularis, coyote bush, is common throughout the California Floristic Province, especially in coastal and interior coastal regions. It is often found in disturbed areas as a pioneer plant. It varies in form throughout its range. One form grows as an upright shrub to seven feet or so. This form is found in coastal and interior settings (such as Santa Clara County). A second form grows as a mounding groundcover, found predominantly on the coast. An attractive specimen of this latter form was discovered at Pigeon Point in San Mateo County and introduced to the nursery trade in 1975. ‘Pigeon Point’ is appreciated for its dense green foliage and hardiness. Like all the named selections of this species, it is a clone of a male plant, so the small white flowers will not mature into seed heads. Full sun is tolerated but some shade protection is recommended if grown away from the coast. Coyote bush may be renewed by heavy pruning or even coppicing in late winter.