1. Canyon Sunflower – Venegasia carpesioides
(ven-eh-GAS-ee-uh kar-pes-ee-OH-i-dees )
Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)
Native to: Outer South Coast ranges from central CA to Baja – locally in lower elevations of the
Santa Monica and San Gabriel mtns; in oak woodlands, CSS and stream banks, not too far from
shade, moisture, and the coast.
perennial sub-shrub
mature height: 3-5 ft.
mature width: 3-6 ft.
Medium size sub-shrub with herbaceous new growth and woody stem.
Form is mounded to
irregular – somewhat like a chrysanthemum. Foliage rather coarse, medium green, sticky with a
scent some find disagreeable – smell it before you buy it.
Drought deciduous, but can be kept
green with summer water.
Growth characteristics:
Blooms throughout the year, but main bloom periods are spring and late fall.
Bright yellow sunflower heads that are 2” across. Very showy in bloom. Flowers look like yellow
dahlias.
Blooms/fruits:
Uses in the garden: Useful plant to give color to dark areas of the garden – places wshere you can’t
grow other sunflowers. Fine in shade of trees. Good on slopes/shaded hillsides.
mixed bed or in a habitat garden.
Fine addition to
Sensible substitute for: Non-native sunflowers, Chrysanthemums.
Attracts: Excellent bird habitat: provides cover and seeds for food. Good for insect pollinators.
Requirements:
Element
Sun
Soil
Water
Fertilizer
Other
Requirement
Bright shade to quite shady. Fine in full sun with regular water
Very adaptable – fine in clay. Any local pH.
Drought tolerant, but looks better with occasional summer water (Zone 2, even 3).
½ strength fertilizer or organic mulch fine.
Management:
Easy to grow. Prune back hard (to 2-4 inches above ground) after blooming.
Propagation: from seed: easy from fresh seed in fall
by cuttings: probably
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1, 6, 8, 10, 13, 14, 24
4/28/10
© Project SOUND