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Asteraceae (Compositae)

Late in the fall, larchleaf goldenweed is covered with lemon-yellow blooms at the ends of its stiff stems. It forms a compact, spreading mound of dense branches and dark green, needle-like evergreen leaves. In its native Trans-Pecos it grows in canyons and slopes of desertic mountains and grows less than 3 feet tall and up to 5 feet wide, but in good garden soil it will grow more upright. The leaves are covered with a sticky resin and smell like turpentine when crushed, so don't go around crushing them. Larchleaf goldenweed is very heat and drought tolerant, and cold hardy to zone 7b. It would work well in masses as a ground cover in sunny dry areas like median strips, or as an informal hedge or foundation planting. In a garden, water sparingly to keep it small and compact, and shear it for the same reason.

Plant Habit or Use: groundcover
small shrub
medium shrub

Exposure: sun

Flower Color: lemon yellow

Blooming Period: fall

Fruit Characteristics: hairy achenes

Height: 2 to 3 feet

Width: 3 to 5 feet

Plant Character: evergreen

Heat Tolerance: very high

Water Requirements:

Soil Requirements: adaptable

USDA Hardiness Zone: 7

Additional Comments: