Broom baccharis

Baccharis sarothroides

Description

The Broom baccharis, also known as desert broom, is a medium to large evergreen shrub with a fine branching habit and billowy foliage character. Mature plants range in size from 10-12 ft. tall with an equal spread. Medium green leaves are long and narrow, and grow on green stems. Flowers grow in inconspicuous clusters in late spring, the seed blossoms have cotton-like texture that blows around in the wind.

Broom baccharis is native throughout the warm and dry habitats of Southern California and southwestern deserts. Throughout its range it show high adaptation to heat, aridity, wind and extended periods of drought. This is a good plant for background screening, naturalizing and wildlife habitat.

Plant Type: Shrub
Foliage Character: Evergreen
Habit: Upright, Mounding
Growth Rate: Moderate
Foliage Color: Medium green
Flower Color: Insignificant
Flower Season: Spring
Soil Adaptations: Well-draining soil, Silt, Sand, Clay
Exposure Adaptations: Wind, Heat, Drought, Aridity, All day sun
Function: Wildlife value, Restoration, Parks and open space, Background plant, Attracts butterflies
Height: 10 ft. – 12 ft.
Width: 10 ft. – 12 ft.

Watering Schedule: Low 1

For most situations, we recommend watering deeply every 3-4 weeks after establishment.

Learn how to apply this watering schedule to your landscape on our How to water waterwise and California native plants page.

Important Notes

These are general guidelines. Always observe and adjust as necessary for your landscape.
If it rains over 1” you will likely not need to water for at least another 3-4 weeks. Before watering again, check the soil. It should be significantly dry at least 4” below the soil surface before watering.
If you have a “smart timer” or weather sensitive irrigation controller, it is best not to use the automatic weather adjusting features for plants in this category. While very useful for watering higher water demanding plants, those in this category have natural drought adaptations which mean they do not need to be watered more in warm weather. Using the weather adjusting features will result in either overwatering in summer or underwatering in fall and spring.
It is important to group plants with the same water needs together in the landscape to avoid needing to over or under water plants when running your irrigation system.

Prune by heading back as much of the new-ish growth as desired in May or cut back as needed mid-winter (January – February) prior to spring growth (1). Every number of years, if looking like it needs to be reinvigorated, Baccharis can be “coppiced” by cutting all the way to the ground to promote new shoots and full regrowth (2). Coyote brush is adaptable to pruning. It can be cut back or sheared like a hedge to promote a denser plant. With some work most Baccharis pilularis or pilularis hybrids can be maintained as a formal hedge (3). References