Botanical Name: Encelia farinosa
Common Name: Brittle bush, Incienso
Type of Plant: Dicot: subshrub
Character
Habit of Growth:
Overall Shape a low mounding plant in its natural habitat; forms a rather open loosely rounded shape if frequently watered; is drought-deciduous in dry zones
Height 2-4'
Spread equal or more
Growth Rate slow (rapid if heavily watered)
Environment:
Exposure full sun: prefers warm dry habitats; can tolerate some shade
Soil thrives in well-draining sites; tolerates clay soils if grown in sun
Hardiness (zones 7-10, 14-24): very tolerant of desert heat; survives some frost
Morphology:
Leaves palmate (3-veined), alternate, ovate with slightly wavy margins; gray or silvery white in native habitats (greener at wet or shaddy sites), 2-4" long
Flowers yellow, sunflower-shaped, in open panicles that arise 1 - 2' above the plant; nearly 2" across; March – May (also in summer if plant receives water)
Fruit a small achene
Propagation:
seed or softwood cuttings
Usage:
an excellent low filler for its silvery-white foliage and showy display of yellow flowers in spring; is well-adapted to dry rocky slope plantings as well as more typical garden planter spaces; desert and dry mediterranean-themes
Landscape Care:
Watering little is required after establishment; plant is more compact if
seldom-watered; thrives on an occasional deep-soaking in summer months
Fertilizing little needed; plants become leggy if overfed
Pruning head back strongly after blooming period to retain low compact form
Pests/Diseases relatively free – aphids sometimes infest tip growth or the flowers
Special Conditions/Other tolerates usage as a container plant for patio gardens
Origin: Colorado and Mohave deserts of California, into Arizona and Baja
Family: Asteraceae
Notes:
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