California Brickellbush – Brickellia californica (brik-KEL-ee-uh kal-ih-FOR-nik-uh)

Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)

Native to: Much of the southwest, including most of CA S. to Baja & N. Mexico; common shrub of dry,

rocky slopes & washes in our chaparral & coastal-sage-scrub below 8000 ft.

Growth characteristics: woody perennial shrub mature height: 2-5+ ft. mature width: 2-5+ ft.

Semi-herbaceous shrub with many slender branches arising from the root crown or short, near-surface horizontal stems. Fast-growing. Plant may live for several decades, renewing itself via suckers. Foliage

often white/hairy and sticky. Bark interesting, paper-like.

Blooms/fruits: Blooms Aug-Oct in our area. Flowers are small, yellow-green, in drooping bunches.

Flowers are extremely fragrant, perfuming a large area. Interesting, you can’t smell them close-up.

Uses in the garden: Most often planted for its aroma during bloom. It is best located with other shrubs,

where its loss of leaves is not so noticeable. Kind of an interesting looking plant – not a show-stopper except for its fragrance. Excellent species plant for dry native gardens – deserves to be used more. Was

used medicinally/ceremonially by Native Californians.

Sensible substitute for: Non-native small shrubs, woody perennials.

Attracts: Provides cover and seeds for birds. Larval food source for the tiger moth, Dysschema

howardi.

Requirements:

Element Requirement

Sun Full sun to part-shade

Soil Any local well-drained soil; any local pH

Water Water once a week or so the first year, very little thereafter

Fertilizer none

Other Ok with organic mulch

Management: Prune to remove dead/diseased branches. Can prune back by 1/3 for fuller shape.

Propagation: from seed: yes; no pre-treatment by cuttings: layering; probably from cuttings

Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1-3, 8, 10, 11, 12, 14, 16, 20, 28 1/23/11 © Project SOUND

Brickellia californica California brickelbush