Dwarf Coyote Bush Baccharis pilularis 'Pigeon Point' Plant

Dwarf Coyote Bush Baccharis pilularis 'Pigeon Point' Plant

Winter hardy to USDA Zones 7-10 where plants are easily grown in dry, sandy, medium to coarse, acidic to neutral, well-drained soils in full sun. Tolerates light shade. Established plants generally perform well without supplemental watering, having good tolerance for heat, drought, wind and poor soils. Extremely drought tolerant along the coast but best with moderate to occasional summer water inland. When watered and annually trimmed to keep low and free of debris it is recommended for fire resistance landscapes.  A good addition to the habitat garden, coyote bush offers excellent cover to a wide variety of wildlife.  ‘Pigeon Point’ is a male selection and does not make seed.

Baccharis pilularis, commonly known as chaparral broom, coyote brush or dwarf chaparral false willow, is an evergreen shrub that typically grows in two different forms, namely, as (1) a prostrate, mat-forming, evergreen groundcover shrub to 8-24” tall spreading to 6’ wide or more, or (2) an upright-rounded shrub to 4-8’ tall and as wide. It is native to the western U. S. where it is primarily found on sea cliffs, bluffs, sand dunes, foothills and thickets in the outer coastal ranges from Mexico and Baja California north to Oregon.

It prefers open, dry sites. It is distinguished by its dark brown stems clad with serrate, sticky-coated, obovate to oblanceolate green leaves (each 1/2 to 3/4” long). This shrub is dioecious (male and female flowers on separate plants), with the yellowish male flowers producing pollen and the pollinated white female flowers producing fruit (cottony seed clusters). Flowers bloom in late summer to early fall.

‘Pigeon Point’ is a male cultivar that typically grows to 2’ tall and spreads to 8-10’ wide. It is larger in all respects than species plants, featuring larger bright green leaves and a fast-spreading habit. Reportedly grows to 9’ wide in 4 years. It was discovered growing at Pigeon Point (about 50 miles south of San Francisco), with subsequent introduction into commerce in 1975.

The plant is currently growing in a one gallon container, but will be shipped with the roots wrapped in damp paper towels and with plastic and ready to plant upon arrival. The plant will be between 5” to 6” in height. Planting guidelines will also be included.