1. *Parish’s goldeneye – Viguiera/Bahiopsis parishii (vig-WY-er-uh par-ISH-ee-eye)
Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)
Native to: Southwestern US (CA, NV, AZ) & N. Mexico. In CA, found in both Mojave and Sonoran
Deserts; washes, mesas, sandy/rocky slopes to 5000 ft.
Growth characteristics: sub-shrub (half-woody) mature height: 2-4 ft. mature width: 2-4 ft.
Winter-deciduous to semi-deciduous sub-shrub. Mounded shape similar to Encelia californica.
Leaves green to gray-green, usually opposite, rounded to triangular; leaves have short, rough hairs
and are sticky and fragrant. Plants that are eaten or pruned have neat appearance.
Blooms/fruits: Blooms after the rains in spring (Feb-June) and again after summer monsoons
(Sep-Oct). Flowers are in 2 inch heads typical of sunflowers. Heads either solitary or in small
clusters above the foliage. Both ray and disk (central) flowers are bright golden yellow. Very bright
and colorful in bloom. Seeds are small, dry seeds typical of sunflowers.
Uses in the garden: Often used in habitat gardens, to attract insects and birds. Good late-blooming
alternative to CA Encelia (Encelia californica) or the larger Golden bushes (Isocoma & Hazardia
species). Wonderful addition to red/yellow or blue/yellow gardens. Good choice for desert or rock
gardens. Often used on dry slopes, roadsides.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native sunflowers.
Attracts: Good bird habitat: provides cover and seeds for food. Attracts wide variety of pollinators
(bees; butterflies; flies; beetles). Larval food for California Patch butterfly (Chlosyne californica).
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full sun to part-shade
Soil Wide range from sandy/rocky to clay; any local pH including alkali to pH 8.0
Water Low requirements (Zone 1 or 1-2); benefits from occasional water in August.
Fertilizer None needed
Other Use inorganic mulch or very thin (1 inch) layer of organic mulch
Management: Prune back hard (to 6-8 inches, like Encelia californica ) when dormant in early
winter. Deadhead if desired. Other than that, this is a very hardy, undemanding plant.
Propagation: from seed: easy; no pre-treatment needed by cuttings: likely yes
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 11, 13, 28 7/1/14
* not native to western Los Angeles County, but a CA native © Project SOUND