Eastern Baccharis
(Baccharis halimifolia)
Eastern Baccharis (Baccharis halimifolia)
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Dcrjsr
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Dcrjsr
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Photo by: Dcrjsr | License Type: CC BY 3.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0 | Uploader: Dcrjsr | Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Title: Groundseltree_Baccharis_halimifolia_fall_pappus_close.jpg |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Baccharis halimifolia, commonly known as Eastern Baccharis or Saltbush, is a plant that can be either deciduous or semi-evergreen, depending on the climate. It is a shrub or small tree native to coastal plains, salt marshes, and disturbed areas in the Southeastern United States, extending to the Northeast and the Caribbean. Typically, it reaches a height of 12 feet (4 meters) with a similar spread. The plant has a bushy appearance with thick stems and leathery leaves. Eastern Baccharis blooms in the fall, with male and female flowers on separate plants (dioecious). The female flowers are particularly showy, forming fluffy, white, cotton-like clusters that are conspicuous from a distance.
Eastern Baccharis is valued for its adaptability to various soil types and its tolerance of salt spray, making it suitable for coastal plantings. It is often used as a hedge or border plant and can serve as a windbreak. The plant thrives in full sun to part shade and prefers moist to wet soils, but it can tolerate drought once established. It is not particular about soil pH or type, though it does best in well-drained soils. While it has a moderate growth rate, it can become invasive outside its native range, spreading by seed and colonizing areas rapidly. Gardeners should be cautious about planting it where it may escape cultivation.CC BY-SA 4.0
Eastern Baccharis is valued for its adaptability to various soil types and its tolerance of salt spray, making it suitable for coastal plantings. It is often used as a hedge or border plant and can serve as a windbreak. The plant thrives in full sun to part shade and prefers moist to wet soils, but it can tolerate drought once established. It is not particular about soil pH or type, though it does best in well-drained soils. While it has a moderate growth rate, it can become invasive outside its native range, spreading by seed and colonizing areas rapidly. Gardeners should be cautious about planting it where it may escape cultivation.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Shrub
- Height: 3-10 feet
- Width: 2-4 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: Cream, White
- Flowering Season: Summer, Fall
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Medium, Fast
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Drought Tolerant, Erosion Control, Salt Tolerant, Street Planting
Natural Habitat
Coastal plains, salt marshes, and disturbed areas
Other Names
Common Names: Salt Bush, Groundselbush, Groundseltree, Tree Groundsel, Salt Marsh-Elder, Sea Island-Myrtle, Saltbush, Consumption-Weed, Sea-Myrtle, Waterbrush
Scientific Names: , Baccharis halimifolia, Baccharis halimifolia var. angustior, Conyza halimifolia, Baccharis cuneifolia, Baccharis halimifolia var. halimifolia,
GBIF Accepted Name: Baccharis halimifolia L.