A classic desert wildflower: a low mound of woolly silver leaves topped with bright yellow daisies on long, thin stems. It blooms for much of the year in full sun and reflected heat, and it renews itself by reseeding.
Living with it in the Phoenix Valley
Watering
Follow the shrub schedule in our Landscape Care guide to get it started. After that, this is a true desert native and should be kept lean. Too much water, or heavy, poorly drained soil, is the most common way to lose it.
Pruning
Snip off spent flower stems to keep blooms coming. In late winter, cut tired plants back to a few inches to push fresh growth.
Reseeding
Individual plants may only last a couple of years, but seedlings fill in around them. Leave a few spent flowers if you want it to spread, and pull extras where they are not wanted.
How our designers use it
Natural desert color
Drifts of it bring long-season yellow to native gardens, washes and open areas with almost no water.
Along hot edges
It handles the reflected heat along driveways, walks and walls where softer plants struggle.
With cactus and agave
Its silver foliage and bright flowers soften the bold shapes of barrels, agaves and yuccas.
Good to know
Around the pool
Low, thornless and light on litter, it works well near hardscape. Expect some seedlings in nearby gravel joints.
