Gardening information sheets for talk on butterfly gardens in containers.

1. *Desert marigold – Baileya multiradiata (BAY-lee-uh mul-ty-ray-dee-AH-tuh)
Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)
Native to: Deserts of Southwestern U.S. from TX, CA, UT & NV to northern Mexico. In CA, in the
Mojave Desert; stony slopes, mesas, roadsides and sandy plains to about 6000 ft. elevation, in
Creosote Bush Scrub, Joshua Tree Woodland.
Growth characteristics: herbaceous perennial mature height: 1-2 ft. mature width: 1-2 ft.
Mounded, short-lived perennial or annual that dies back with fall drought. Leaves gray-green, lacy
and very hairy. The foliage is mostly in a neat basal rosette. Looks like a garden perennial.
Blooms/fruits: Blooms off and on from spring through fall (Mar-Nov), depending on soil moisture.
Flower heads are a brilliant golden-yellow, 1-2 inches in diameter; held on leafless stalks above the
foliage. Long-lived flowers are truly spectacular; they also attract a wide range of insects.
Uses in the garden: Most any sunny place that needs a spot of low color. Nice at fronts of dry beds,
along walkways. Excellent for accent pots, rock gardens and desert-themed gardens. Super choice
for habitat garden. Foliage makes it appropriate for white/moon garden. Nice cut flower.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native marigolds, low sunflowers.
Attracts: Excellent bird habitat: provides cover and seeds for food. Attracts native bees,
butterflies, moths and other pollinators. Excellent all-round habitat plant.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full sun to part-shade; can take heat, reflected heat.
Soil Must be well-drained (use cactus mix in containers);
Water Occasional summer water (Water Zone 1-2 to 2) for long bloom season.
Fertilizer None in ground; ½ dose once a year in pots.
Other Inorganic or no mulch.
Management: Plants are short-lived, but will reseed nicely on bare ground. Don’t over-water.
Propagation: from seed: fresh seed; plant with winter rains or let naturalize in garden.
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 8, 10, 13, 14, 16, 38, 47, 66 6/30/16
* California native, but not native to Western Los Angeles County © Project SOUND

2. Hairy Gumplant – Grindelia hirsutula (grin-DEL-ee-uh her-SUIT-yoo-luh)
Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)
Native to: West coast of N. America from S. CA to British Columbia; coastal plains and foothills,
usually on slopes or sea bluffs, in sandy or gravelly soils.
Growth characteristics: herbaceous perennial mature height: 1-3 ft. mature width: 2-3 ft.
Herbaceous perennial with numerous stems from a single, slightly woody root. Leaves are lance-
shaped, red-green to gray green depending on variety and conditions. Foliage may be hairy,
aromatic. More delicate & ‘garden-like’ than other Grindelias. Dies back in fall.
Blooms/fruits: Profuse blooms in late spring/summer. Flowers are golden-yellow, typical
‘sunflower-type’ heads. Very showy in bloom – bright yellow color spot.
Uses in the garden: Excellent choice for cottage garden or any other garden featuring flowers.
Good staple at back of flowering beds, combined with other summer-blooming native perennials,
grasses. Good for xeriscaping – very tough plant. Yellow/green natural dye from flowers. Native
Californians used leaves/teas to treat skin sores, itching, bronchitis.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native summer-flowering perennials like gazanias, daisies.
Attracts: Excellent habitat plant. Nectar attracts many insects; birds eat the seeds.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full sun best
Soil Sandy soils best; ok with other well-drained soils; any local pH
Water Quite drought resistant. Looks better with a little summer water (Zone 2).
Decrease water in late summer/fall.
Fertilizer None needed.
Other
Management: Deadhead flowers if desired to improve appearance. Cut back dead stems in fall.
Easy. Will re-seed, but easy to remove unwanted seedlings.
Propagation: from seed: easy with fresh seed in fall/winter by cuttings: ??
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 2, 10, 13 7/3/13
© Project SOUND

3. California Goldenrod – Solidago velutina ssp. californica
(sol-i-DAY-go vey-loo-TEEN-uh ka-li-FOR-ni-ka)
Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)
Native to: Much of west coast of N. America, including CA (mostly W. of Sierras); dry or moist
areas, either in the open or in shaded woods, from coastal sage scrub to yellow pine forest. Also
cleared or disturbed places.
Growth characteristics: creeping perennial mature height: 1-3 ft. mature width: 1-3 ft.
Robust herbaceous perennial that spreads by rhizomes. Dies back to ground in winter (or cut
back). Stems and leaves are dark green to gray-green colored and densely fuzzy. Quick growing.
Forms large colonies in moist environments – less so in summer dry conditions.
Blooms/fruits: Blooms summer/fall, usually July-Oct. along coast. Showy clusters of small, yellow
flowers on wand-like flowering stalks. Glorious golden yellow – attract pollinators.
Uses in the garden: Truly a striking accent plant in the wild or in garden. Provides welcome fall
color. Does well in pots and planters, where it can be contained. Great for slopes, meadows.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native perennial yellow asters, chrysanthemums.
Attracts: Excellent habitat plant for many species. Butterflies, bees and other insects collect nectar
from the flowers. Seed-eating birds and insects eat seeds. Plants also provide cover.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full sun to light shade
Soil Any, including poorly-draining clays
Water Tolerates winter flooding. Very drought tolerant, but blooms better with occasional
summer water. Regular summer water encourages rapid growth.
Fertilizer None needed
Other
Management: Easy to grow. Spreads via rhizomes; easily controlled by removing unwanted stems
during winter dormant period or planting in contained environment. Seeds wind-spread.
Propagation: from seed: challenging; use fresh seed; slow germination by divisions: easy
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1, 2, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 14, 20, 24, 25, 32, 46 8/24/14
© Project SOUND

4. * Pacific Aster – Symphyotrichum chilense var. chilense (sim-fee-oh-TREE-cum chee-LENS)
Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)
Native to: Coastal N. America from Santa Barbara Co. to British Columbia; Grasslands, salt
marshes, coastal dunes/bluffs, coastal grasslands/scrub, open disturbed habitats in evergreen and
Pacific coast coniferous forest.
Growth characteristics: herbaceous perennial mature height: 1-2 ft. mature width: spreading
Herbaceous perennial with thin, delicate-looking (almost insignificant) foliage. Cultivars are more
robust (see below). Drought deciduous – dies back completely in dry summer months. Spreads
vigorously via rhizomes.
Blooms/fruits: Blooms in summer (may be as long as July-Sept. with summer water). Flowers are
very attractive small ‘daisy-type’ heads. Ray flowers most often light purple, but may range from
white to pink, deeper purple; disk flowers are yellow. Very showy plant in bloom.
Uses in the garden: Usually used in mixed beds with other native grasses, shrubs and wildflowers.
Excellent choice for slopes, Cottage Garden or native prairie/grassland. A must for habitat gardens;
would do well in large pots/planters. Several excellent cultivars available: 'Point St. George' – low-
growing with more robust foliage; ‘Purple Haze’ – darker purple flowers & more robust foliage.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native Asters.
Attracts: Excellent all-round habitat plant. Native bees, butterflies and other insects love the
nectar. Seed-eating birds like towhees & sparrows eat the seeds.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full sun to moderate shade.
Soil Just about any texture – sand to clay; any local pH.
Water Very adaptable. Can take regular water (Zone 3) but will spread aggressively. Best
in Zone 2-3 or 2 (occasional water); withhold water in late summer/fall.
Fertilizer None.
Other
Management: Plant where it can be contained – will spread. Cut back late fall if it doesn’t die back.
Propagation: from seed: fresh seed in summer/fall by cuttings/divisions: easy
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1- 3, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 14, 24 2/13/11
* CA native plant but not native to Western L.A. county © Project SOUND

5. Saltmarsh Fleabane – Pluchea odorata ssp. odorata (PLOO-shuh oh-dor-AY-tuh)
Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)
Native to: Much of southern U.S. to S. America, Caribbeans. In CA, mostly w. of Sierras, but also in
s. desert areas; common in moist soil including saline valley bottoms, coastal salt marshes,
freshwater marshes, washes & riparian areas.
Growth characteristics: clumping sub-shrub mature height: 2-4 ft. mature width: 2-3 ft.
Semi-woody sub-shrub with faint camphor-like fragrance. Leaves rounded to lance-shaped, gland-
dotted, clustered towards the branch tips. Stress-deciduous (looses leaves in drought; cold); may
be an annual in colder climates. Plants have many, upright stalks. Spreads via rhizomes.
Blooms/fruits: Blooms in late summer through fall (July-Aug through Oct.). Flowers typical of
Sunflower family. Fragrant, pink/lavender flower heads are numerous in dense, flat-topped clusters
at ends of branches – quite showy and unique, especially in Fall. Seeds have fluffy bristles.
Uses in the garden: Excellent choice for moister areas of garden (rain gardens; swales; under
birdbath; etc). Fine along streams, near ponds. Does well in large containers, but will be smaller
than in the ground. Great fall habitat plant! Used medicinally in Caribbean countries. Crushed
leaves serve as an insect repellant.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native fall-blooming plants like chrysanthemums.
Attracts: Excellent bird & pollinator habitat. Provides cover and seeds for bird food. Native
pollinators love the nectar.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Quite adaptable; full sun to fairly shady
Soil Just about any except very coarse/rocky; alkaline and salty soils are fine
Water Prefers regular water but ok (will go dormant) with less summer water; Zone 2 to 3
Fertilizer Not needed, but not a problem; fertilize lightly if grown in container
Other
Management: Prune back in winter if leggy. Will spread via rhizomes, so may want to contain.
Propagation: from seed: direct seed in fall; may benefit from pre-chill by cuttings: probably
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 2, 6, 10, 16, 20, 21 1/12/15
© Project SOUND

6. *Showy Milkweed – Asclepias speciosa (ass-KLE-pee-us spee-see-OH-suh)
Family: Asclepidaceae (Milkweed family)
Native to: Much of western N. America & throughout CA; open areas on banks and flood plains of
lakes, ponds, or waterways or moist areas in prairies on sandy, loamy, or rocky soils.
Growth characteristics: herbaceous perennial mature height: 2-5 ft. mature width: 1-2 ft.
Pretty herbaceous perennial that dies back to the ground in fall/winter. Leaves large, blue green
with velvety silver hairs. Spreads via rhizomes. Note: foliage of all Milkweeds is toxic. This
species is less toxic than others, and native peoples even ate young boiled seedpods in
moderation.
Blooms/fruits: Blooms in summer (May-July or Aug.). As name suggests, flowers are very showy
– looks more like a garden plant than a wildflower. Large (4-5 in.) dense heads of small pink/white
flowers with characteristic Milkweed shape. Very fragrant – nice addition to a scented garden!
Uses in the garden: Pretty enough for any mixed flower bed; hardy enough for natural areas once
established. Excellent choice for areas that get a little extra winter water like rain gardens, bio-
swales, etc. A must for butterfly gardens. Can make paper, fiber from dried stems.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native Milkweeds.
Attracts: Excellent habitat for Monarch Butterfly larva and other insects. Birds use fibers for nests.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full sun (best) to part-shade.
Soil Any local soil – very adaptable to all but the heaviest clays.
Water Water well first summer; after that zone 1-2 to 2-3 (very occasional to occasional)
water. Good for planting next to Zone 3 (regular water).
Fertilizer None needed; light fertilizer won’t kill it.
Other
Management: Quite hardy and easy once established. Plant seedlings/plants when small and don’t
move established plants (they have a deep taproot). Will spread via rhizomes & seeds.
Propagation: from seed: easy; no treatment by divisions: carefully, when dormant
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 2, 8, 11, 19, 24 1/25/11
© Project SOUND

7. * Mountain Monardella – Monardella odoratissima
(mon-ar-DELL-uh oh-dor-uh-TISS-ee-muh)
Family: Lamiaceae (Mint Family)
Native to: Mountains of central & N. CA including the Western Sierras & locally in the San Gabriels;
Sin wet or dry, rocky openings in Sagebrush scrub, montane forest from 2000-11,000' elevation.
Growth characteristics: perennial/sub-shrub mature height: 1-3 ft. mature width: 2-3 ft.
A variable species with many subspecies across its range. Gray-green to medium green mounded
perennial with erect stems, woody at very bottom. Leaves simple, paired, highly aromatic with
minty fragrance. Plants may be mat-like and low or more shrubby. Evergreen with a little water.
Blooms/fruits: Blooms in late spring to summer (June to July, even Aug.). Flowers are typical for
Mint family – small flowers in ball-like whorls at the top of stems. Flowers are pale pink or lavender
(except ssp. pallida which has white flowers). Flowers are particularly large, numerous and showy
compared to others in this family.
Uses in the garden: One of the prettiest Monardellas. Excellent choice for the butterfly garden.
Minty fragrance is welcome in the scented garden – and also as an herbal tea. Lovely in containers,
where it may drape down the sides. Good for bordering lawns – can take a little extra moisture – or
for rain gardens/vegetated swales. Very versatile; good under trees. Best at higher elevations.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native Mints.
Attracts: A range of butterflies with its sweet nectar.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Does best in part-shade in our area; dappled shade under trees is excellent.
Soil Well-drained – does well in sandy soils; any local pH
Water Adaptable – Zone 2 is best, but OK with 2-3 in well-drained soils.
Fertilizer Fine with organic amendments, ½ strength fertilizer.
Other Organic mulch recommended.
Management: Prune back lightly in fall. Deadhead to improve appearance.
Propagation: from seed: yes; follow instructions from source by cuttings: in summer
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1, 3, 6, 8, 11, 13, 14, 24, 28 6/29/16
© Project SOUND

8. * Coyote Mint – Monardella villosa (ssp. subserrata) (mo-nar-DEL-uh vil-OH-suh)
Family: Lamiaceae (Mint Family)
Native to: Northern CA coast & coastal ranges and Sierra Nevada foothills; dry rocky slopes,
ephemeral drainages, oak woodland, chaparral, mountain forests.
Growth characteristics: perennial (sub-shrub) mature height: 1-2 ft. mature width: 2-4 ft.
Evergreen perennial with many erect square stems, Leaves small, either dark green or furry gray-
green, with a pungent fragrance. Slowly spreading.
Blooms/fruits: Blooms May to August. Many small long-lasting flowers in dense heads.
Flower colors range from lavender, rose-purple, to white. Showy for a native mint.
Uses in the garden: Good in herb gardens, mixed borders and in narrow spaces. Does well on hot
dry slopes and sand dunes. Excellent cascading down slopes or over rock walls. Would look nice in
a container. Plant close to enjoy fragrance and the pollinators it attracts. Has a sweet spicy aroma
and a slightly bitter mint-like flavor (can be used for tea). Cultivars: 'Russian River' – slightly hairy.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native mints.
Attracts: Excellent pollinator habitat. Nectar attracts hummingbirds and a wide range of
butterflies including Blue butterflies, Skippers, Western Tiger Swallowtail, Duskywings & CA Dogface.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full sun to part-shade
Soil Light to medium texture – sandy is probably best. Well-drained.
Water Prefers a moist but well-drained sandy soil. Don’t over-water, which will cause it to
become leggy and decrease it’s lifespan.
Fertilizer None needed
Other Organic mulch fine
Management: Shear about 1/3 of volume in fall/winter to keep it compact. Reseeds. Easy.
Propagation: from seed: in pots or ground by cuttings: semi-softwood in summer; divisions
in winter.
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1, 3, 8, 11, 13, 14, 19, 28 2/14/11
* CA native plant but not native to Western L.A. county © Project SOUND

9. California Hedgenettle/Wood Mint – Stachys bullata (STAY-kis bull-AY-ta)
Family: Laminaceae (Mint Family)
Native to: Coastal CA from San Francisco to Orange Co.; dryish slopes (near coast) and partially-
shaded canyons in chaparral and coastal sage scrub, coast live oak riparian forest & woodland,
sycamore riparian woodland.
Growth characteristics: spreading perennial mature height: 1-4 ft. mature width: 2-5 ft.
Dark green, fuzzy leaves are triangular to oval, toothed. Stem square (typical of Mints) and hairy.
Plants mildly to strongly scented – minty with lemon. Spreads by rhizomes.
Blooms/fruits: Flowers are small, pink to lavender-red, with white markings on the lower lips (look
like a mint flower; in whorls around stem). Blooms Mar-May or later. Very pretty bloomer.
Uses in the garden: Most shady areas of garden. Cultivated beds or for a fragrance garden (pleasant
lemon scent when rubbed). Excellent cut flowers. Use in woodland or perennial gardens. Spreads,
so is useful groundcover for north- and east-facing slopes, under trees and near shaded rock walls.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native mints, low herbaceous groundcovers.
Attracts: Excellent hummingbird, bee, butterfly habitat plant; other birds eat seeds.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Part-shade; full sun only on immediate coast
Soil Any well-drained soil; any local pH
Water does better with occasional to moderate water, and tolerates seasonal flooding
Fertilizer Organic mulches useful
Other
Management: Easy to grow. Does spread, but not aggressively; remove unwanted stems. Cut
back nearly to the ground in late fall or early winter.
Propagation: from seed: yes in fall/winter by cuttings: easy (treat like other mints)
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1-3, 7, 8, 11,12, 14, 20, 32 11/3/14
© Project SOUND

10. *Desert mock verbena – Glandularia gooddingii (glan-doo-LAIR-ee-uh good-ding-ee-eye )
Family: Verbenaceae (Verbena Family)
Native to: Eastern Mojave Desert, ne Sonoran Desert from CA to UT, NV, NM, AZ & n. Mexico;
along sandy washes, canyon floors, ravines or road banks in sandy soils, 2000-6000 ft.
Growth characteristics: herbaceous perennial mature height: 1-2 ft. mature width: 1-3 ft.
Shrubby perennial/sub-shrub with low, slightly mounded habit. Branches are open, mostly
decumbent; often used a perennial groundcover. Foliage is medium green and softly hairy. Leaves
are highly variable and may be 3-lobed or merely toothed, somewhat like chrysanthemum.
Moderate growth rate, short-lived (3-5 years). Evergreen with a little summer water.
Blooms/fruits: Blooms April-June, but may be earlier of later. Flowers are violet or pink-purple, in
parts of five. Flowers grouped in dense clusters at the ends of branches (typical for the family).
Very showy – looks like a flower garden plant. Gorgeous when massed!
Uses in the garden: Commonly used as perennial groundcover or purple accent plant. Good choice
with native and non-native flowers with the same requirements. Showy in containers. Good choice
for bordering walkways, patios, courtyards, pools. Good choice for hummingbird/butterfly gardens.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native verbenas, lantanas.
Attracts: Excellent hummingbird and butterfly habitat plant.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full sun to part-shade.
Soil Well-drained soil a must; any local pH.
Water Infrequent to moderate summer water ; Water Zone 2 or 2-3 in well-drained soils.
Fertilizer None needed, except light dose if grown in containers.
Other None/inorganic mulch.
Management: Trim off spent flowers to improve appearance and lengthen bloom season. Remove
dead plants. Plants will usually re-seed on bare ground and replace themselves.
Propagation: from seed: easy; requires light to germinate by cuttings: probably
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 3, 8, 13, 16 7/30/14
* not native to western Los Angeles County, but a CA native © Project SOUND

11. *Pt. Reyes checkerbloom – Sidalcea calycosa ssp. rhizomata
(sid-AL-see-uh CAL-ee-COE-suh rye-zo-MAY-tuh )
Family: Malvaceae (Mallow Family)
Native to: North & Central CA coast (Mendocino, Sonoma, Marin Counties); coastal salt marsh,
wetland-riparian, freshwater marsh lands.
Growth characteristics: herbaceous perennial mature height: 1-3 ft. mature width: 1-3+ ft.
Spreading herbaceous perennial from a persistent root. Spreads via rhizomes to form groundcover.
Leaves rounded, like mallow or geranium, medium green becoming red-tinged with age. Young
leaves edible as raw or cooked greens.
Blooms/fruits: Blooms in spring and summer – April to Jul or later with water. Flowers are
enchanting: translucent pale-to-medium pink petals with white at the center. Look like a small
hibiscus flower. May flower profusely with dense flower clusters.
Uses in the garden: Most often used as a ground cover under trees, where it gets dappled sun or
afternoon shade. Likes summer water, so fine with overspray from lawns, or in beds that get
regular water. Good around ponds/pools, bog or rain gardens with rushes, ferns, etc. Lovely in
containers – good for shady porches, shady parts of vegetable garden.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native mallows and shady groundcovers.
Attracts: Important pollinator plant: attracts native bees and butterflies, including the West Coast
Lady butterfly (Vanessa annabella).
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Part-shade; afternoon shade or dappled shade.
Soil Quite adaptable - probably better in clays; any local pH.
Water Takes regular summer water to occasional water (Water Zone 2). Will flower longer
with some water. Taper off in later summer.
Fertilizer Occasional ½ strength, particularly if grown in container.
Other Leaf mulch is best; OK with medium-thick bark mulch.
Management: Vigorous grower in moist conditions. Cut back in fall when flowering ceases.
Propagation: from seed: ??? haven’t grown it by divisions: in fall/winter in S. CA
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 5, 46 5/3/16
* California native, but not native to Western Los Angeles County © Project SOUND

12. Sticky (Bush) Monkey Flower – Diplacus/Mimulus aurantiacus
(DY (or DIP)-pla-kus aw-ran-TIE-ak-us)
Family: Phrymaceae (Lopseed Family/Scophulariaceae (Figwort Family)
Native to: Much of western & southern CA; Rocky hillsides, cliffs, canyon slopes, disturbed areas,
borders of chaparral, coastal sage scrub and southern oak woodland, open forest.
Growth characteristics: perennial sub-shrub mature height: 2-4 ft. mature width: 2-5 ft.
Broadleaf evergreen shrub or subshrub that is semi-open, spreading upright and globular from a
woody base. May become sprawling. Leaves are narrow glossy sticky and dark green. Dormant in
summer in hot dry climates. Fast growing; lifespan in gardens is 10 years or so (water-limited).
Blooms/fruits: Blooms Mar-Aug – long blooming season; most flowers buff-orange or yellow. The
lower surface of the throat usually has two yellow-orange bands. The flowers get a drop of nectar at
their base in early spring, and the stigma lips will close if you poke them with a twig, but will open
again later. Tiny seeds are encased in a dry capsule.
Uses in the garden: Showy blooms so be sure to locate where you can enjoy it. Great on dry slopes
and natural gardens. Does well in large pots, planters. Excellent accent plant in a mixed bed,
pastel-colored garden. Cultivars/hybrids include: ‘Buff’, 'Verity Buff’, & ‘Jellybean’.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native fuschias.
Attracts: Superb habitat plant. Attracts hummingbirds (the plant’s pollinator) as well as bees and
butterflies (Buckeyes) with its nectar; important larval food for Checkerspot butterflies.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full sun (cool, coastal) to part-shade (best in most gardens)
Soil Sandy, rocky soils best, but any well-drained soil is ok; any local pH – tolerates
alkali soils
Water A little water is ok in summer, but don’t overdo – susceptible to fungal diseases
Fertilizer None needed, but will take a little time-released fertilizer
Other
Management: Very easy to grow once established. Don’t over-water and withhold water towards
the end of summer to encourage it to go dormant. You can prune back after first flowering period to
encourage fall flowers and again before new spring growth in late winter to keep from getting leggy.
Propagation: from seed: easy; plant fresh seed in winter by cuttings: easy in early-mid summer
Plant/seed sources (see source list): 1, 3, 5- 8, 10-14, 16, 17, 20, 21, 23-26, 28, 31, 45, 46, 52 6/26/16
© Project SOUND

13. *Allscale (Cattle) saltbush – Atriplex polycarpa (AT-ry-pleks polly-KAR-puh)
Family: Chenopodiaceae (Goosefoot Family)
Native to: Southwestern U.S. from UT, NV & CA to n Mexico (Baja & Sonora); alkali flats, playas in
warm desert shrub communities (creosote bush, ambrosia, shadscale, mesquite, saltgrass, etc.).
Growth characteristics: perennial sub-shrub mature height: 3-5 ft. mature width: 3-5 ft.
Drought-deciduous shrub or sub-shrub with mounded to sprawling/irregular form. Leaves pale
green to blue-green, simple, usually oblong. Leaves excrete salt; are only shed under fairly serious
drought conditions; evergreen or nearly so with occasional water.
Blooms/fruits: Blooms primarily in summer (Jul-Aug) but may be anytime from spring into fall
depending on rain & irrigation. Plants dioecious (separate male & female plants) or partly so.
Flowers small, silver-green to gold, not particularly showy. Seed capsule tan. Edible seeds.
Uses in the garden: Most often used in desert gardens for its excellent drought, alkalinity and salt
tolerance. Makes a good background shrub, low hedge. Fire-resistant. Light color makes it an
option for a white or moonlight garden. Excellent cover/shade for birds, lizards, small animals.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native shrubs.
Attracts: Excellent bird habitat: provides cover and seeds for food. Larval food for Western Pygmy
Blue butterfly (Brephidium exilis). In wild, important forage plant for larger herbivores.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full sun
Soil Sandy, well-drained but adaptable; pH 7.0-9.0 (neutral to alkali)
Water Drought tolerant; best with occasional summer water (Water Zone 1-2 to 2)
Fertilizer None needed; low dose yearly in containers
Other Inorganic or no mulch
Management: Plant on low mound in clay soils. Prune branches back by 1/3 in winter.
Propagation: from seed: use year-old, dry seed by cuttings: probably easy
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 3, 8, 10, 16 6/29/16
* California native, but not native to Western Los Angeles County © Project SOUND