Ericameria cooperi, commonly known as Cooper’s goldenbush, is a drought-tolerant shrub native to the desert scrub and chaparral ecosystems of southern Nevada, southern and eastern California, and Baja California. It typically grows to a height of 3-5 feet (0.9-1.5 meters) with a similar spread. Cooper’s goldenbush has a rounded form with long, narrow, gray-green leaves that provide a fine texture in the landscape. From late summer to fall, it produces numerous bright yellow flowers in a flat-topped inflorescence, each head containing 6-7 disc florets. The flowers are particularly showy and attract a variety of pollinators.

Cooper’s goldenbush is valued for its low water requirements and its ability to thrive in poor, well-drained soils, making it an excellent choice for xeriscaping and native plant gardens. It is also used for habitat restoration projects. This plant prefers full sun and is highly adaptable to extreme heat and drought conditions. While it is generally pest-free, it can occasionally suffer from root rot if overwatered. Cooper’s goldenbush is not known to be invasive and does not have aggressive roots, making it a safe choice for residential landscapes.CC BY-SA 4.0